ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609200057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Soon computers will replace repair manuals in auto mechanics classes at Roanoke County's Arnold R. Burton Technology Center.
If students have a question about repairs, they won't have to flip through hundreds of pages in a manual. They'll just turn to a computer terminal alongside the vehicle they're training on, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the MCI Foundation.
"By helping us electronically link our three buildings and by funding equipment, this grant will provide students with an opportunity to have immediate, on-site access to technology critical to their career training," said Garland Kidd, director of vocational and adult education for the county.
The new technology also will enable students in other occupational areas, such as computer repair, child care, horticulture and power mechanics, to have access to computer files and reference sources in their studies.
"This grant will help us establish a library presence for our students and give them access to more information," Kidd said. "This will help us step up a notch."
The Burton school provides training in 14 vocational areas for students from all four county high schools: Cave Spring, Glenvar, Northside and William Byrd.
Monty Johnson, principal of the vocational school, said MCI's grant will give the students access to the Internet and the latest resource materials for their studies. "This will enable them to do research on the computer."
MCI executives presented the donation to school officials at a ceremony Thursday.
"MCI has a special concern for communities and schools that might not have the access to technology that can offer tremendous educational advantages," said Kim Stanley, sales manager for the company.
The MCI Foundation is MCI's chief outlet for philanthropic giving. Established in 1985, the foundation makes grants to programs that combine education and technology to help individuals and communities benefit from rapidly changing technology.
MCI is one of the world's largest and fastest growing communications companies, with annual revenues of more than $15 billion.
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