Local schools to gain $37,000 for technology

Sunday, April 26, 2009
By John I. Carney

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

Comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on t-g.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

and.....the Central Qffice will claim a use for every penny of it!

-- Posted by grandpat on Sun, Apr 26, 2009, at 5:30 AM

I don't agree with using "stimulus money", but $1,114 in funding to address the needs of homeless students? I suppose they don't think that the homeless students don't have many needs?

-- Posted by Thom on Sun, Apr 26, 2009, at 6:30 PM

waste.

-- Posted by Robert Allison on Sun, Apr 26, 2009, at 11:38 PM

Shame shame, when they've repeatly told parents requesting assistive technology, they'll pay TWICE the money to keep testing till they get the "Cheap" answer they want. They can't provide for students who need technology, but they can gaurantee the people who are well trained to run parents around in circles will get their paycheck!!! How could this be used to fund "technology"? In reference to the 2 new schools, I wonder if this is for the new phone system no one knows how to use? Or used to keep their email system clean of the Wasteful emails administrators pass around.

-- Posted by starparent on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 7:09 AM

By reading your comments, you obviously have a beef with the school system that would be better aired by going through the proper channels instead of bashing people in the local paper. First the special ed director and now the assistive technology staff. Hmm, sounds to me like you would have greater say if you bought some of these items yourself. That would definitely allow you to get around the school system, which you think is to cheap to provide adequate technology for your child. Then maybe they could use that money for students and parents who were grateful for technology that wasn't around even five years ago. It sounds like from your comments that you want what you want no matter if it is best for your child or not... Some self reflection might be in order here.

-- Posted by WBAC on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 2:13 PM

Countryfolk with newfound wealth.

-- Posted by tatersue on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 5:40 PM

A spell check is a piece of cheap technology that starparent should consider.

-- Posted by majo on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, at 5:04 PM