STATEHOUSE (Sept. 1, 2020) – Area schools recently received $238,793 in emergency grant funding to invest in remote learning equipment and internet connectivity, according to State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Steve Davisson (R-Salem).
Bartels said schools statewide received a total of $61 million through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, which was created by the federal CARES Act. Funding will help increase device access, internet connectivity, and educator training and development.
"Students and teachers are hard at work this new school year, and this additional funding will help them meet certain challenges that come with remote learning," Bartels said. "The success of our schools is tied to the success of our communities, and we need to work together to ensure students, teachers and families have the tools to continue to thrive."
Area grant awardees include:
According to Davisson, the GEER funding supports several education-related entities throughout the state. He said the funding goes toward purchasing devices like Chromebooks and iPads for students, new or upgraded laptops and tablets for teachers, and mobile WiFi devices with subscription plans for households needing internet service.
"All students need the internet to properly learn remotely, and our rural communities often have limited access," Davisson said. "This funding will not only help students and teachers during the pandemic, but it will also benefit our schools when bad weather keeps children home and they need school to take place virtually."
A grant application could be completed by a single school corporation or a combination of eligible education entities. The 257 applications received were evaluated by a team from the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana State Board of Education.
A full list of grant recipients is available here, and the governor's official announcement is here.
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State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,
which includes portions of Spencer, Dubois, Perry, Crawford and Orange counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) represents House District 73, which includes
Washington County, and portions of Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Clark and Harrison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
