MADRID -- Madrid-Waddington Central is getting $15,000 worth of new audio-visual equipment for their auditorium, which the state is paying for, according to Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

The auditorium hosts a number of in-school and community events and the district’s drama club puts on a number of theatrical productions each year, Ritchie said in a news release announcing the funding.

“The Madrid-Waddington Central School District is immensely proud of our auditorium and the ceremonies and productions that it hosts,” Madrid-Waddington Central School District Superintendent Eric Burke said in a prepared statement from Ritchie’s office. “It offers an authentic learning environment for our students and is a tremendous centerpiece for our school community. We would like to thank Senator Ritchie for recognizing how important our auditorium is in educating our students and keeping our residents involved in our school.”

“Our schools are where students get set on paths to successful futures and in many schools auditoriums are used for a wide variety of important events—including everything from plays to presentations,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased to have secured funding for this equipment, which will help enrich the educational experience for students at the Madrid-Waddington Central School District, as well as improve the school’s auditorium for all others from the community who might use it.”