The 26th annual EEE (Electronic Educational Equipment) award luncheon was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Missoula, on November 19.  

Mineral County Schools were awarded $275 gift cards for either an iTunes, Amazon or Best Buy based on the school’s preference. The EEE Program is a partnership between Blackfoot Telephone, Missoula Electric Cooperative, and Energy Partners.  It was started in 1989, to help enhance educational opportunities for students through the use of technology assets designed to enhance classroom learning environments.  

Rural communities in Montana oftentimes have limited access to current equipment.  That’s why these three local Missoula companies came together to form the EEE Program. 

To date it has donated $600,000 to rural schools across Western Montana.  It is primarily funded through a portion of the participating company’s member investments and upholds the Cooperative principles of supporting education and giving back to the communities they serve.

This year, $28,000 was awarded to 95 local schools.  This is out of 103 schools located in the cooperatives service territories.  

With the funds, schools can afford Smart Boards for their classrooms, computers, projectors, video camcorders, printers and more.  

All three Mineral County Schools, St. Regis, Superior and Alberton, received three, $275 gift cards totaling $825 each.  One each for the elementary, junior high and high school.  

Students from each school attended the luncheon to accept their awards.

Technical Equipment Coordinator for Alberton, James Forrider, said that the school plans on using the funds for three new Chromebooks.