School systems to benefit from $8 million grant: Technology funding will help ensure broadband Internet access in all classrooms
BYLINE: Justin Vick, Independent Tribune, Concord, N.C.
Feb. 26--School systems will benefit from $8 million in technology funding to be distributed across the state as a result of the North Carolina School Connectivity Initiative, which seeks to ensure broadband Internet access in all classrooms.
"With school technology dollars being as tight as they are, any additional funding is welcome," said Phil Hardin, executive director for technology at Rowan-Salisbury Schools. "Hopefully, this will free up funds we were using to pay for Internet connectivity to upgrade technology we do have."
Most classrooms in Rowan County have broadband access, with the exception of some mobile units, Hardin said, noting the $199,000 would help accelerate the system's efforts in equipping classrooms with more technology.
Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City school systems will be reimbursed $155,191 and $21,307, respectively. All classrooms in these districts have broadband access, according to their technology directors.
Cabarrus County Schools will use freed-up money to help pay for needs, such as software license renewals and server-related expenses, said chief finance officer Kelly Kluttz.
The system will not only gain freed-up technology funding, but also freed-up bandwidth, said Steve Alexander, Cabarrus County Schools chief technology officer.
The state is creating a backbone where information sent between school systems and the state education department in Raleigh goes across the network, Alexander said.
Having that network will free up bandwidth that can be used for classroom instruction and aid the system's efforts to equip schools with 21st Century technology, he said.
Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, who announced the fund distribution Thursday, said in a statement that the initiative helps level the playing field by allowing students access to technology regardless of where they live.
--Contact Justin Vick: 704-789-9138
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