With discounts on Internet access and upgraded electrical
wiring, local schools are increasing their technological savvy.
In September, U.S. Congressman Sam Farr notified schools in his
district that will receive E-Rate grant money. The Hollister School
District was awarded $83,671.07 and the Southside School District
received $1,826.40.
With discounts on Internet access and upgraded electrical wiring, local schools are increasing their technological savvy.
In September, U.S. Congressman Sam Farr notified schools in his district that will receive E-Rate grant money. The Hollister School District was awarded $83,671.07 and the Southside School District received $1,826.40.
“For us, it’s an extreme boon,” said Eric Johnson, principal and superintendent of the Southside School District. “Without the grant, we wouldn’t have been able to afford wiring our portables.”
The E-Rate (Education-Rate) grant is meant to help rural schools purchase discounted Internet access, set up necessary phone lines and upgrade electrical wiring to accommodate new computers. Southside School upgraded from dial-up connections to T-1 lines and wired classrooms for computers with the money, Johnson said.
Discounts range from 20 to 90 percent, depending on the poverty level in the local community.
The funds help make sure students from families of all income levels have information-technology skills so that survival in the high-tech world is not restricted to those with a certain socio-economic status, Farr said.
Johnson said computers are valuable teaching tools. Having them in the classroom allows students to gather information and research. It also gives teachers the ability to download lesson plans and keep grades on the computer.
“We have faster and better service (some would say), but the more important part is that we can get more people on (computers) without delay,” Johnson said.
The grant is administered by the Schools and Library Corp. established by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
A total of $428,823.97 was awarded to schools in Farr’s district. Other schools in the 17th District receiving funds from the E-Rate grant include:
– Bradley Union Elementary School District – $1,696.03
– Salinas Union High School District – $69,294.16
– San Ardo Union Elementary School District – $14,850.00
– Santa Cruz City School District – $87,456.81
– Soledad Elementary School District – $170,029.50
