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City schools to get new laptops

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal

Published April 24, 2009

Fort Payne students will soon have greater access to computers and technology thanks to a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The $150,000 grant will be used to expand Fort Payne City schools mobile computer lab program, called Networking to Educate Today’s Students. Currently there are four mobile labs split between the middle and high schools.

“Those computers are here now,” said superintendent Jimmy Cunningham. “We are putting those labs together and dispersing them to the schools. It will be very beneficial to us.”

The money will allow the schools to buy 12 more mobile computer labs and expand the NETS program into Wills Valley and Williams Avenue elementary schools. Beyond teaching computer skills, school officials said the labs will be a valuable tool for increasing graduation rates.

The 12 additional labs will give schools a ratio of about 180 students per lab. Each lave will include 30 laptop computers with wireless Internet access, a storage cart that holds and recharges the laptops, a laser printer and software.

Elementary and middle school students can use the computers to prepare for state math, writing and reading tests. High school students can use them to prepare for graduation and college entrance exams.

Upon Gov. Bob Riley’s recommendation, the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs submitted the grant request to the ARC. The ARC funds are a 50-percent match, with 38 percent of the $300,000 project being funded by the Fort Payne Board of Education and 12 percent by the state. Fort Payne’s portion of the funds was made available from the board and a $50,000 from an anonymous donor.

“Computer literacy has become a necessity for success in the 21st century, both in schools and in the workplace,” Riley said. “This grant will make it possible for Fort Payne students to prepare today for their careers tomorrow.”

Riley also announced a $50,000 ARC grant will help schools in DeKalb and 18 other counties identify ways to save money by reducing energy costs.

Muscle Shoals-based Alabama Retirees Technical Advisory Group will use the funds to put together training manuals and host 12 seminars to train teachers interested in performing energy-use audits of their schools. After the training, teachers can then train student volunteers to assist in performing the audits, which identify energy-saving opportunities.

“In the current economic climate, lowering energy costs can free up more funds for schools to use on other important needs,” Riley said. “I am pleased to support this effort to get students and teachers involved in saving money for their schools.”

ARTAG expects about 60 teachers to participate in the seminars.

The ARC is a federal-state partnership that supports community and economic development in Appalachia, which includes 37 Alabama counties.

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