Scranton Public Schools Receives $28K Grant From Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

Scranton Public Schools and Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus are pleased to announce that they are the recipient of a Tyson Foods, Inc. Grant totaling $28,743.52.The grant will be used to refurbish the district’s high school computer lab. Funds will replace 20 antiquated computers with new machines that will enable the school to teach with the latest computer software.

The project resulted from a collaborative effort between Tyson Foods Poultry Products Optimization Division in Scranton, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus’s Community Outreach Office, and Scranton Public Schools. “We were happy to be included in this venture; collaborative community projects such as this are part of our mission and are just another way we work to enhance our region,” said Ken Warden, ATU-Ozark’s Chief Business and Community Outreach Officer.

In addition to Scranton Public School’s classes, community learning opportunities using the lab include GED Classes, Computer Literacy Classes, Introduction to Computers, MS Office Training – MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook, and a host of industry-specific courses.  Enrollment numbers and need will determine what will be provided. The lab will also be used after hours to train Tyson Team Members and others in the community.

Mr. Jimmy Rofkahr, Tyson Plant Manager in Scranton observed, “This project is a good example of industry working with the local school and college to improve learning opportunities for local students, members in the community and Tyson Team Members. I look forward to working with both the Scranton Public Schools and Arkansas Tech – Ozark to put our first classes together and begin moving forward.” Rofkahr added, “I am excited about the opportunities this will provide for this area of the state.”

Dr. Jim Bridges, Superintendent of Scranton Schools said, “We at Scranton Schools are very excited about receiving the grant from Tyson Foods. The addition of the new computers will allow us to offer a more advanced course of study that will better prepare our students for post-secondary education or the world of work. It also will allow us to serve the entire community by offering evening classes for adults. Education is a lifelong endeavor, and Scranton Schools wants to facilitate this whenever possible. Thanks to Tyson Foods, the technology will be available to help us accomplish this goal.”

Pictured (l-r): Stephen Koch, Tara Stepp, Dr. Jim Bridges, Mr. Jim Rofkahr, Mr. Ken Warden, Corey White, and Brandon Berg.

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