Two Community Learning Centers Now Open in Madison County

They Allow Internet Access for Students Learning Remotely

Of the pandemic.

New information -- two learning centers are now complete in madison county -- offering virtual students a place to learn and have access to free wifi.

Waay 31's max cohan is live outside one of the two centers with why one county leader took this initiative, max?

Megan, when talking with school leaders -- madison county commissioner phil vandiver learned that devices weren't the main concern -- it was access to the internet.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic -- area community centers have not been available for the full potential of their use.

And when schools in madison county announced their plans to begin the year fully virtual, district 4 commissioner phil vandiver had an idea.

"we talked to a few of the school leaders and they said this might be a way that you can help."

For about a month the commissioner has been working to get the madison crossroads and monrovia community centers into a position where they can serve the needs of area virtual students, doing so with the financial assistance of four state legislatures.

"speaker of the house matt mccutchen, tim melson, senator tom buttler, and house of representative andy whitt."

Vandiver says they've boosted wifi, purchased copy machines and 20 tables for students to use -- all in an effort to serve students needs.

"i don't envision anyone coming all day long, but if that's the need they have, we want to be there to help 'em out."

Ashley moore is a teacher with children at sparkman high school.

She says families like hers in the northern part of the county often experience internet and power outages -- and the proximity to the crossroads center would give her kids a place to go, one she believes would be better than doing work in the car at a bus hotspot.

"they have printers there, there's tables, there's chairs, it's a more comfortable situation, i believe, than the parking lots."

Vandiver says they're in a good position to start and this week will help the centers identify what the other needs of students are -- which they'll then work to address.

Live in madison county, max cohan, waay