Federal funding for school connectivity awarded
Many southern Illinois schools are set to receive funding to improve internet connectivity and e-learning, thanks to a federal grant.
The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that 471 local education agencies will receive $80,092,677 specifically to help close the digital divide among K-12 students statewide. The funding comes from the Digital Equity Formula Grant, which is funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief Economic Security Act. The CARES Act directs federal funding to governors and state education agencies to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant provides each district or local education agency a base award of $22,500 plus $47 per pupil for the purchase of devices and $6,475 plus $10 per pupil for connectivity.
Harrisburg Unit 3 schools, for example, will receive $133,268 in funding, with $108,602 for devices and $24,667 for connectivity spending.
Harrisburg Unit 3 Superintendent Mike Gauch said he's pleased with the announcement of additional funding.
"This actually is the second wave of CARES money we've received," Gauch said. "We've already been awarded about $760,000 that we're still spending down. The first money we used to purchase 1,000 Chromebooks and create a few internet hot spots. But, the other part of the CARES money is used for sterilization of learning environments, purchase of PPE, additional cleaning equipment and the hiring of extra janitors to work the night shift. They come in and sterilize buildings and rooms each night as part of additional safety measures."
Paying for additional cleaning and sterilization is costly, Gauch said. The district pays about $1,000 for a 55-gallon drum of sterilization solution, designed to kill the virus that causes COVID-19. It is applied as a mist in every part of Unit 3 buildings, and the district uses about one drum every two weeks, he said.
Gauch said the second wave of grant funding for internet connectivity is available on a reimbursement basis. Districts must purchase devices or pay to create internet hot spots for remote learning and submit purchase orders with a request for reimbursement from the state.
"Our plan is to update our supply of Chromebooks so that we have plenty and create 2-300 more hot spots for lower income families who either are using remote learning or may be going to remote learning," Gauch said.
In a news release from ISBE, Pritzker said statewide the new wave of CARES grants will improve educational opportunities for students.
"With this commitment of $80 million in funding to closing the digital divide, we are building on the same goals we've pushed since the beginning of my administration, creating a pipeline of high-quality learning from cradle to career," Pritzker said in the news release.
Education agencies may use the grant to purchase additional devices and connectivity or to cover purchases made since March 13, 2020.
Southern Illinois school districts and education agencies receiving the Digital Equity Formula Grant include:
Saline County
Regional Office of Education 20 Alternative School - $31,162
Regional Office of Education 20 Safe School - $30,026
Galatia CUSD 1 - $52,244
Carrier Mills-Stonefort CUSD 2 - $53,000
Harrisburg CUSD 3 - $133,268
Eldorado CUSD 4 - $89,431
Gallatin County
Gallatin County CUSD 7 - $69,146
Franklin County
Franklin Williamson ROE 21 Alternative School - $33,917
Franklin Williamson ROE 21 Safe School - $30,509
Benton CCSD 47 - $91,407
Christopher USD 99 - $71,323
Benton Consolidated HSD 103 - $$60,458
Ewing Northern CCSD 115 - $39,878
Frankfort CUSD 168 - $119,570
Thompsonville CUSD 174 - $46,423
Zeigler-Royalton CUSD 188 - $60,565
Sesser-Valier CUSD 196 - $62,918
Williamson County
Johnston City CUSD 1 - $89,436
Marion CUSD 2 - $245,519
Crab Orchard CUSD 3 - $56,280
Herrin CUSD 4 - $161,419
Carterville CUSD 5 - $152,661
Jackson County
Jackson/Perry ROE 30 Alternative Learning Opportunities Program - $29,552
Carbondale ESD 95 - $113,316
Unity Point CCSD 140 - $61,990
Trico CUSD 176 - $79,095
Murphysboro CUSD 186 - $137,773
Perry County
Pinckneyville SD 50 - $59,472
Pinckneyville CHSD 101 $53,416
Du Quoin CUSD 300 - $110,160
Randolph County
Coulterville USD 1 - $40,788
Chester N HSD 122 - 31,644
Prairie Du Rocher CCSD 134 - $35,997
Steeleville CUSD 138 - $52,738
Chester CUSD 139 - $84,636
Sparta CUSD 140 - $95,361
See the complete list of grantees and awards at www.isbe.net/Documents/FY21-Digital-Equity-Allocations-WEB.pdf. Find additional information about COVID-19 and education at www.isbe.net/covid19.