Malta Bend installs 16 new computers

School administrators and boards may not often get kudos from students, but students at Malta Bend School are so happy with their new computers that they sent a thank-you note to the administration.

Superintendent Ryan Nowlin announced at the Board of Education meeting Monday, Feb. 19, that 16 new computers had been installed to replace the aged machines in the school's computer lab.

The old computers were four years old, Nowlin said, which is verging on ancient when it comes to computer technology.

The older machines used operating systems that were obsolete, making it difficult to run new educational software.

The students are delighted with the new equipment.

"They were tickled pink," he said, noting that in addition to the thank-you card from the junior class, he had received informal comments from students as well.

Teachers, too, have reason to be happy. The school was also able to replace eight computers for teachers this year.

The remaining challenge for the student computer lab is obtaining better tables.

The current tables were designed for a previous generation of computer monitors and include a recessed space for the monitor to sit in. The new computers, however, came with flat screen monitors that don't fit well with the old tables.

Nowlin said they would swap out tables as best they could until an opportunity arises to visit the state surplus stores and find better tables at a reasonable price.

Nowlin also informed the board about a busy schedule of events in coming weeks.

Malta Bend will host two Academic Bowl events, one for high school students on March 6 and one for junior high students on March 26. School will be dismissed early both days because the events occur during the afternoons.

The school will also host the conference science fair the evenings of March 13 and 14, he said.

Contact Eric Crump at

marshallfaith@socket.net