By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

VINCENT – Vincent Middle High School plans to install a wireless Internet network after the city of Vincent and town of Harpersville donated $1,500 apiece to the school.

The large checks were presented to VMHS Principal Joel Dixon during a South Shelby Chamber of Commerce Coffee with the Mayor event at Vincent City Hall March 14.

“Mr. Dixon asked if there was any way we could help,” Vincent Mayor Ray McAllister said. “We robbed Peter to pay Paul, but it’s a very good initiative we wanted to be a part of.”

Dixon said the wireless network would cost about $3,000 to complete, and the school had started grassroots fundraisers to generate funding.

“It’s great the two towns can work together for our kids,” McAllister said.

VMHS students will be able to bring smartphones, tablets and other devices to school after signing an agreement with the school, Dixon said. Students will be required to use the schools network, which will block certain websites, such as Facebook.

“There’s going to be a learning curve going along with this,” Dixon said. “It’ll be for instructional use only with the teacher’s permission.

“I think schools have a responsibility to teach kids to use technology property,” he added. “Technology doesn’t change the foundation of teaching or learning. Good teaching is always going to be about thinking, passion and creativity. Technology is a tool.”

The city of Vincent also donated $1,500 to Vincent Elementary School.