Crenshaw Christian Academy students will be able to hear announcements a lot clearer in the near future.

Tuesday morning, State Senator Wendell Mitchell presented the school a $4,365 check to help offset costs of a new intercom system.

&uot;I’m very pleased that they not only got the money, but I’m very pleased that they elected to use it for this worthy project,&uot; Mitchell said.

&uot;It’s been a much-needed project. It’s been explained to me how badly it was needed. This is going to help them out a lot.&uot;

The money was made available through the Southeast Alabama Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), which Mitchell appropriated money to through the state budget. Each of the nine councils, which make up the RC&D receive money, which is distributed between counties within the councils. A four-member panel set local priorities and make recommendations to how the money should be used.

&uot;We’ve got local people in each county setting priorities and needs,&uot; RC&D Coordinator Richard Collier said. &uot;This year in Crenshaw this project was identified as their sole project. They wanted every bit of their share to go to this.&uot;

Each classroom at CCA is currently equipped with phones that feature intercom buttons. The phones are used to make announcements and for other communication needs.

CCA Head Master Angela Carpenter said a new system would be a blessing.

&uot;An intercom system is very critical,&uot; she said. &uot;It helps us with communication with our teachers and students and in case of an emergency we can alert our faculty, staff and students.&uot;

Carpenter said she is very thankful for the donation.

&uot;Being a private school, people like Sen. Mitchell and Mr. Collier are very important to our schools,&uot; she said. &uot;We’re not federally funded and it helps to run our school. They’ve always been good to Crenshaw County schools.&uot;

Mitchell believes whatever can be done for schools should because they serve the future of our state.

&uot;Schools are the main backbone of our state,&uot; Mitchell said. &uot;Whether they’re public or private our school systems are where we educate our children and we put our future leaders in place. So any time you spend money in a school, you’re spending it wisely.&uot;