Columbia County Board of Education has received an $8.9 million federal grant through the federal payroll assistance act passed in December to provide pandemic unemployment assistance for independent contractors.
At their meeting on Jan. 27, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Carraway presented to the board some options for using the money, including $4.5 million for upgrades to the classroom audio system, including the addition of microphones for both teachers and students. Carraway told the board the microphones will help the teachers as they address the class while wearing a protective mask.
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The wish list for the grant allocation also includes $1.3 million to purchase student-use electronic devices. Top on that list is 850 laptop computers and charging carts.
Other items proposed include financial assistance to the school systems athletic programs, nutritional program support and stipends for employees not included in the state allocation.
During last Tuesday’s meeting, the school board received the information, but took no immediate action. Dr. Carraway promised the board and the public that while no decision has been made concretely on how to use the funding, the school system will use the grant wisely.
“Effective use of these funds will have long-term positive effects on student learning and on our district as a whole,” she says.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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