BEK - BEACON

Napoleon School Gets Tech Boost

FRS and BEK Grant Brings Interactive Displays to School

November 2026

BEK Communications Cooperative, in partnership with The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, is proud to announce that Napoleon Public School has been awarded a $5,000 grant through the 2026 FRS Community Grants Program. Napoleon Public School was the only organization in BEK’s service area selected for a grant this year.


The school will use the funding to purchase and install two interactive display monitors. The monitors will be placed in the former study hall room, which hosts classes and meetings throughout the day. The other will be installed in the music room to support interactive music lessons and instruction.


The upgrade fills an important gap. Napoleon Public School currently lacks dedicated video-conferencing and digital learning spaces. The new displays will allow students and staff to connect and collaborate with neighboring school districts, colleges and universities, and other partners, opening the door to interactive television (ITV) courses and online learning opportunities.


“We are grateful and honored to receive the Foundation for Rural Service/BEK grant!” says Richard Bjerklie, Superintendent of Napoleon Public Schools. “School funding is always tight, and support like this makes a world of difference. Thanks to FRS and BEK, we can invest in essential technology that enriches our students’ everyday learning experiences.”


“NTCA member companies are the backbone of their rural communities, and they know best which local organizations are making a difference for their citizens and neighbors,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. “That local knowledge is key to identifying how to best use the FRS Community Grant resources. We’re grateful to NTCA members for bringing these important projects forward, and to FRS donors for making the grants possible.”


As an NTCA member, BEK partnered with FRS to present the award and contributed 20% of the total grant amount. This year, FRS awarded more than $151,000 to 33 rural-serving organizations nationwide to support projects in public service, education, health, and business development. Grants range up to $5,000 and help fund safety equipment, educational resources, and community improvements.


To learn more about BEK’s partnership with FRS, visit bek.coop/coop/frs-grant-application.

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