For Searcy Lion Press and Lion TV an iPhone app is on the way to the Apple App store.  The app idea was mentioned by Noel Romey and brought to life by Forest Dale.

Dale said, “The first step is drawing it out on paper.”

Dale has been working on the app for the past three months and hopes to have it ready before the end of the school year.

“It’ll take a while because I only have one or two hours a day to work on it, and juggling graphics for Lion TV,” Dale said.

Making an app takes special software called X Code that allows programming of what the app will do on the phone.

“For an iPhone development you need X Code which is only available on Mac computers,” says Dale, “It takes a lot of logic to program it.”

Sometimes the app-making process causes problems for Dale and he has to stop and research what to do next.

“It’s frustrating when you’re not sure how the Apple developers designed its use and you can’t find much information on it,” he said.

Dale says most of the work on the app is on the computer.

“I had to learn the API (application programming interface) and the constructors for the methods,” said Dale.

The point of the app is for parents and students to use for school information.

“You have to think about what the public will use it for, and I believe this will encourage more people to look at the website,” says Dale.

The app will show stories from Lion Press as well as school closings, and important notifications pertaining to Searcy Schools.

Zach Anderson  thinks an app would be an easy way to confirm information about school, such as school closings.

“I think  an app would be a good idea because it’s easier than getting on a website,” Anderson said.

An app will provide easy access to school information for teachers, students, and parents.