Local schools to gain $37,000 for technology

Bedford County Schools is scheduled to receive $37,341 in Title II-D technology funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), an economic stimulus package.

Gov. Phil Bredesen and Commissioner of Education Dr. Timothy Webb announced statewide grants this week, saying they represent funding that will be available for districts to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.

"This can be used for staff development, for equipment, for connectivity," said Bedford County School Superintendent Ed Gray. He said the school system uses this type of grant funding for one-time-only expenses rather than for reoccurring expenses so that it doesn't have to cut back once the grant money has expired.

"That money will probably go quickly, with two new schools opening," Gray said, "but there are certain restrictions on how much equipment we can buy, and how much connectivity."

Learning Way Elementary School and a new stand-alone building for Community High School will open this fall.

He said additional stimulus money will be given through a fund for online classes, but those grants haven't been announced or released yet.

"Tennessee must remain at the forefront in using technology to better serve students in their future careers," said Bredesen in a news release. "There is no doubt that this generation will need the skills these grants will help build to be successful in any career they choose."

The ARRA funds will go to each school district to enhance technology in schools to improve learning, according to the state. The state wants to make each student "technologically literate" by the time he or she completes eighth grade.

"More technology in the classroom is something our teachers and administrators are always pushing for and it's exciting to know that we now have additional dollars to help them achieve that goal," said Webb in a news release.

The ARRA Title II-D Education Technology funding is part of the Department of Education's proposed fiscal year 2009-2010 budget, which is currently being considered by the Tennessee General Assembly. The allocations for each district will be made available beginning July 1.

Meanwhile, the county will also receive $1,114 in funding to address the needs of homeless students.

Bredesen and Webb announced Title X McKinney­ Vento Act funding through ARRA for schools and districts to meet the special needs of students who are homeless.

"The children and youth of Tennessee who are homeless are usually the victims of decisions outside of their control," said Bredesen in a news release. "It is up to us to provide them access to education and other services, just like their peers, in hopes of improving their lives and opportunities for the future."

"In Tennessee, every homeless child should have access to educational and other support services," Webb said. "The infusion of these additional funds will allow us to better serve these students and to hopefully improve their living situation."

On the web

Stimulus funding for education in Tennessee: http://tn.gov/education/recovery.shtml