5 upstate NY schools receive $1.6 million in funding for internet access

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SCHOOL CLASSROOM GENERIC DESK-846652698
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) secured $1.6 million for upstate schools to purchase devices for internet access and help end the digital divide. Five schools in upstate New York will be receiving grants to help fund their digital needs.
Schools Receiving Grants:
- HoosickFalls Central School District — $120,895.70
- Highland Central School District — $38,910.90
- Ulster County BOCES — $1,352,818.62
- Eldred School District — $60,000.00
- Canajoharie Central School District — $92,720.00
Interested applicants can still seek program funding starting on September 28. To learn more and apply go to the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program website.
“Every student should have reliable internet access,” said Rep. Delgado. “This first round of Emergency Connectivity Fund grants will help upstate schools close the digital divide and end the homework gap that disproportionately affects rural communities. I was proud to support the creation of this essential program and will keep fighting until every resident of New York’s 19th Congressional District has quality and affordable internet access.”
“Being awarded $120,895.70 by the FCC through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will have a profound impact on the students in our District. The funds will be used to purchase 540 Chromebooks and 10 wireless access points for students that do not have internet access or devices at home. This will essentially complete our 1:1 initiative of all students having access to a computing device,” said Hoosick Falls Superintendent of Schools Patrick Bailey.
“Grant funds like this help make sure that we can continue to give our students the needed resources relating to technology. Without resources like this we would not be able to continue offering a 1 to 1 initiative for all students in K-12,” said Canajoharie Superintendent of Schools Nick Fitzgerald.
A second application filing window will open on September 28 and close on October 13. This will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1 and June 30, 2022.
The funding is available to purchase laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need. It will also support off-campus learning, such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID pandemic.
https://www.news10.com/news/5-upstate-ny-schools-receive-1-6-million-in-funding-for-internet-access/