SCHENECTADY – The city’s school district is expected to receive more than $ 1.3 million in the first round of federal funding distributed to help expand and improve Internet access for students and teachers.

“This is a huge help and we are very grateful for the funding,” said district spokesperson Karen Corona of Schenectady’s award of $ 1,382,500. “It will be used to provide Internet access in the homes of students who currently do not have access to it. It also serves as a safety net as we will be able to respond and provide access to those whose circumstances change during the school year.

Congressman Paul D. Tonko, D-Amsterdam, announced Monday that Schenectady was one of nearly 20 schools in the Capital Region to receive a total of $ 6,015,990.

The money is administered by the Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund program, established as part of the Tonko-backed US bailout to help schools and libraries update learning services remotely during the pandemic.

“Throughout this COVID-19 crisis, we have heard about the hardships millions of Americans face without access to broadband,” Tonko said in a statement. “We heard from students unable to log into their classes and submit homework, as well as educators who have to go to parking lots with public Wi-Fi and teach from their cars. “

The Mohanasen Central School District in Schenectady is expected to receive $ 449,314, the Shenendehowa Central School District in Clifton Park will receive $ 342,764, while the Scotia-Glenville Central School District prize is $ 299,424.

This announcement is part of the first installment of funding provided under the Emergency Connectivity Fund program to provide students, faculty, and library patrons in all 50 states and Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia access the devices and broadband connectivity they need. to meet their off-campus education needs.

The first round of funding will provide more than $ 1.2 billion to schools and libraries serving more than 3.6 million students.

Applications for a second round of funding will be open from September 28 to October 13. It will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or provided between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.

Funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi access points, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, faculty, and faculty. library users in need, and is available to support off-campus learning. , such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Categories: News, Schenectady County