New technology is emerging at Albert Lea High School – Albert Lea Tribune

Digital displays, first discussed more than a year ago, have been popping up around Albert Lea High School for the last month, and students are wondering why.

“Neil [Skaar] We chatted when I first entered the building [in July 2021]” said high school principal Chris Dibble.

The first thing Skaar came up with: digital displays.

“As a wrestling officer, I have time to walk around and see what’s going on [other] School buildings,” said Albert Lea Education Foundation representative and school board member Skaar. “Many of them have digital displays that provide useful information to students, announcements of the day, upcoming events when students walk into the building. of events and the timetables associated with them, which are constantly scrolling through the various locations of the building. “

He thinks they will be useful additions to high schools.

“As soon as we started our last school year, I started digging into the process,” Dibble said. “We got several different offers from several different companies.”

But as fate would have it, two ALHS 1995 graduates — Scott and Jan Erickson — own TouchPros, a display company. The pair contacted Dibble, and the project began last winter.

“They gave us a really sweet deal,” Skal said.

The role of the Education Foundation is to find donors who can make a significant financial contribution to the project. The Foundation Did It: Dale Larson. Larson is a Distinguished Alumnus inductee in 2008 and the founder of Larson Manufacturing. Larson graduated in the 56th grade.

“Larson contributed $25,000,” Skarr said.

Between Larson’s contribution and Ericksons’ offer, the school had a high-end display system at a very good price, according to Dibble.

When everything is in place, the building will have ten 43-inch displays, two 45-inch displays and a 65-inch touchscreen.

“It really adds a touch of flair to the building,” said Dibble. “Communication is one of our important cornerstones, so getting the latest technologically advanced stuff in our buildings so students can be more aware of what’s going on.”

He also sees these displays as a way for students to connect with the community.

There are plaques commemorating people on the walls, but Skaar said they were difficult to read and should only be used in schools.

“Now we have huge display boards where you can find information about these people who have been honored with athletes, educators and alumni in more detail than you might realize from these plaques,” he said. Much more.”

With the exception of announcements, menus and news, every yearbook is accessible, although they are currently being scanned. Sports team and event announcements will also appear on the screen. People will be able to use their smartphones to provide pictures via QR codes and email them to them.

“It’s a big work in progress,” Dibble said. “There’s a lot of information out there.”

According to Dibble, when complete, there will be a display in each locker, three in the cafeteria, four above and below the E-house, and one at the main entrance. He did not set a timetable for when the installation would be completed.

The displays were supposed to be installed on July 31, but due to supply chain issues, the screens didn’t actually arrive until the end of September. Although they’re not all installed, they’ve gotten attention.

“The kids were like, ‘What’s up with all the TV’,” he said. “We were like, ‘Oh, we’ll work it out, you’ll see.

The display is also accessible online at albertlea.touchpros.com.

“It’s going to be a site with more content,” says Skar. “It will have the same content as the content on our website related to our program, but it will contain information in addition to information of interest to the public and the Student Union.”

Dibble estimated the total cost of the project at $15,000, and he said an additional $10,000 from Larson, plus funding from the Education Foundation, would go toward maintenance. Taxpayer money will not fund this project.

“It’s great to have people like this who want to come back and help the community they grew up in,” Dibble said.

He also wanted to thank Ericksons and Larson for making this project possible.