The Civics Classes and ESSH have entered into a project sponsored by the Governor to create websites for all county offices and the three municipalities of Durbin, Hillsboro, and Marlinton this year. As part of a grant supported by the Benedum Foundation and other agencies, the students will create county and local government websites. The lofty goal of the three year project is to have all 55 counties and many municipalities to have web pages housed on the West Virginia Department of Education website by the end of 2010. Students in the classes are learning interviewing skills, web design and their local governments on a personal level. Students received a laptop computer, a digital camera and a camcorder to create these websites. The biggest challenge we have faced so far is being able to contact these local officials who often work in personal businesses and do government duties as a second job. Students will be contacting some new personnel who don't take their positions until the beginning of the year.
Features of the websites will include frequently asked questions, contact information for government leaders, agencies within their walls, links to local areas of interest, and scenes of our beautiful county. Plans include video streaming in the near future of county activities like our local fairs and festivals, youth activities, and other occasions that occur in our communities.
