SkyLine Membership Corporation has awarded grants totaling $165,000 to five county school systems to augment efforts to enhance the use of technology across the curriculum. The grants target schools’ technology needs ranging from a variety of technology enhancements including SMART Boards and related equipment to 1 to 1 (1:1) initiatives, which include wireless devices for students’ use at school and at home, and other special initiatives which extend Internet access to those students who need it at home due to special circumstances, including health-related issues.
The grant program was established in 2006 to enhance the use of technology in the classroom. “At that time, two schools from Ashe and Avery counties had received significant Impact grants through the state that led to a technology transformation at those schools,” said SkyLine Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Blevins. “SkyLine wanted to provide additional support to schools to enhance technology, and after consulting with each of the five school systems in our service area footprint, a common need was Smart Board interactive white boards.”
The program has had a positive impact and helped to fill the technology needs gap at schools across the region.
This year’s funding continues to focus on technology and helping schools to ensure all of their students will be on par with their peers in accessing these essential learning tools.
Since the grant program began, funding toward technology has totaled nearly $500,000. Funding for each county school system is based on the percentage of members served in each of the cooperative’s five-county service area.
