NEWS RELEASE: RCS Renovates RHS Media Studio, Takes on Other Summer Bond Projects

Infrastructure and cosmetic improvements continue this summer throughout the Roseville Community Schools district, residual from the bond initiative that was passed by the community in 2018.

One major undertaking is the renovation of the News and Broadcasting Media Productions Studio at Roseville High School. The renovation will create a bigger space for student video productions, complete with a green screen and an increased editing suite area with upgraded computers. “The room is completely demoed, and the new framing walls are up. The lab should be ready in the fall for the start of classes,” said Director of Building and Grounds Joe Smith. RHS Principal Jason Bettin said that the News and Broadcasting Media Productions courses offer a career exploration pathway for those students who may be interested in a career in the field. “Students learn all aspects of media productions in these courses, from scripting and speaking skills, to creating broadcast storylines, filming, editing, and producing. These courses help prepare students as they explore their future plans.” He added that the renovations taking place ensure that RHS students learn through state-of-the-art technology. “These resources match what they would find in a real-world workplace, helping to ensure that they are college and/or career ready.”

Work is near completion on the Ascension Health Clinic at Roseville Middle School, which is going into the old L.B. Williams Room area. A Mental Health Specialist is already being utilized by students and Superintendent Mark Blaszkowski says that there is an opportunity to expand in the future. “Currently, we are providing service to RMS students, but if there is an opportunity to include other students in the district in the future, we will.”

The 2018 bond also provides the district with two technology refreshes for 1:1 student devices. With initial purchases of student laptops and iPads in 2019 complete, the district is starting work on the first refresh. During the fall, the district will be collaborating with teachers and staff to evaluate potential new student laptops and iPads that are available by comparing their functionality, durability, warranty coverage, and support. “Once the evaluation is completed, a recommendation for approval will be made to the school board after the first of the year so that the student devices can be distributed before the start of the 2024-2025 school year,” said Director of Technology Mike Antoine. Additionally, as ransomware cyberattacks continue to increase in educational institutions, the board of education approved the purchase of a Dell Cyber Recovery system, a secure data vaulting solution that protects and enables the recovery of the district’s most critical applications and data.

Several smaller projects are also on the docket for this summer. Galvanized pipes are being replaced with copper pipes at RHS. “Copper pipes are resistant to corrosion, prevent chances for bacterial development, and are less likely to develop a leak,” said Smith. Every school is being equipped with drinking water bottle fillers, which were retrofitted to the existing water fountains. Heating units are being replaced in the RHS kitchen, RHS auto tech wing, science labs at RMS, and at the Ascension Clinic. There is also a replacement of the railing system in the upstairs hallway near the east entrance at RHS.

#####