How Central Columbia High School Made Student Opportunity Possible – Without Breaking the Budget

A Rural District Built on Community

Central Columbia High School sits in the heart of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, near the Susquehanna River. Unlike many districts, there isn’t a single town that defines the community, says superintendent Jeff Groshek.

“We’re in the center of Columbia County,” he explains, “and that’s where you get Central Columbia.”

It’s a rural district known for being close‑knit, fiscally responsible, and deeply invested in its students. As Groshek put it, it’s the kind of place people choose when they want to raise a family.

A Video Board Idea That Almost Didn’t Happen

From the start, a large video board seemed out of reach.

“As a superintendent, I have to be fiscally responsible,” Groshek said. “There was no way we were going to purchase a jumbotron.”

So when principal Adam Comstock kept pushing the idea, Groshek was skeptical.

“I thought he was nuts,” Groshek admitted.

But Comstock saw an opportunity. If students could be involved, the project could become something bigger than a display.

“Superintendent Groshek said, ‘I might get you two video boards if you can find a way to get kids involved,’” Comstock recalled. “And I thought: well, that’s easy.”

Students Behind the Screen, Finding Their Path

Student involvement quickly became the heart of the project.
Through hands‑on operation of the Daktronics LED video boards, students learned how to:

Load and manage graphics

Run live camera feeds

Support pep rallies and game‑day moments

Operate professional‑level equipment

Groshek – now a supporter of using video boards – says that even students who never planned to work in athletics found a place in production, storytelling, and technology.

One of the students, a senior named Abigail, shared how the experience changed her direction. “My first two years I was in the science pathway, but I switched because I liked doing this stuff more,” she says.

Real‑World Skills That Travel Beyond High School

The experience didn’t stay on campus.

Communications and technology teacher Doug Farley shared that one former student is now attending a university with a Daktronics system and has already been hired to help run it.

“She’s being hired currently to work there at the college,” Farley said.

Because the equipment and workflows are consistent, students can step into higher‑level environments with confidence.

Principal Comstock described a trip that made the impact clear. “Our business and communications students went to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs stadium. Since it’s the same Daktronics equipment, they job‑shadowed the communications team and produced their podcast for the week.”

“That wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have the boards.”

From Skepticism to a Sustainable Revenue Source

Funding the boards initially felt impossible.

“The Daktronics guy said this could pay for itself. I didn’t believe him,” Groshek said.

But after meeting with local businesses, the reality surprised everyone.
“After our first five meetings, we were done. Because the first five committed to $50,000,” says Groshek.

What started as a perceived risk became a reliable revenue source.

“If someone asks for a big‑ticket item, like a tractor for our ag program, that’s the account we go to now,” Groshek explained.

A Community Draw Beyond Game Day

The impact reaches well beyond athletics.

Digital marquees were installed outside both the high school and elementary school, helping promote events and bring people together.

“We advertised a movie night on the turf,” Groshek said. “Over 400 people showed up.”

The middle school raised over $4,000 during the event – proof that the technology could unite the community while supporting students.

A Vision Coming to Life

For Comstock, the project reflects a vision he’d seen before.

“I was fortunate to be at Westside High School in South Carolina. That’s what I wanted to bring here – and now it’s coming to fruition.”

Watch the Central Columbia Story

Central Columbia High School’s story shows what’s possible when student opportunity, fiscal responsibility, and community support come together.

Watch the full Columbia story and explore more schools creating opportunity in Stories Beyond the Display.