By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Clanton — Chilton County High School career preparedness students are getting an updated classroom thanks to Community Service Grant funding and State Senator Cam Ward.

Ward visited the school on Feb. 14 to meet the teachers receiving the funds. He said the Community Service Grant funds are available to legislators to help local school systems.

The funds are distributed across the district. Ward said the decisions are based on need.

“I really like to do a lot geared to technology,” Ward said.

Teacher Kayla Cantley said she emailed Ward about the need for new computer tables in her classroom. Later, she was notified that $2,000 could be allocated to the project.

The tables will allow a better computer lab set up. Cantley said the tables the computers are on now are not sturdy. All of the tables face the walls making it difficult for the students to see the SmartBoard, an interactive board used to display computer programs.

“Right now if they want to see the SmartBoard, we all have to get up close to the door, and it’s just not really a good fit,” Cantley said.

As a part of the upgrade, the room layout will be rearranged, so that the SmartBoard and teaching area will not be near the door. The tables will all face the SmartBoard, making it easier for students to see.

Teacher Kelli Inman said the career preparedness course addresses the college application process, resume writing, job interviews and personal finance.

Inman’s classroom was updated last year, but if there are any of the grant funds left after Cantley’s room is updated, then it will be spent on software for both classrooms. The course is a freshman level class. Some upperclassman take the course if their schedule did not allow them to complete it their freshman year.

The teachers coordinate lessons, so that students in each class are learning the same thing each week.

Cantely and Inman said they were thankful for the funds and Ward making a personal visit to the school.