The state of Indiana has awarded Marion Community Schools with a $1.1 million grant to increase students’ Internet access for e-learning.
The grant comes from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, created by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Indiana received $61.6 million in GEER funding. In collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, and the Indiana State Board of Education, this needs-based, competitive grant was opened up to all schools in Indiana.
Using the awarded grant funds, Marion Community Schools will create a network of wi-fi hotspots throughout the city, to which our students can connect with their school-issued devices, and will provide support for our students and families to help us successfully navigate remote learning.
“This will allow students access to our wi-fi network, which is filtered for safe Internet access,” said Chief Technology and Academic Officer Scott Hoeksema. “In a global economy increasingly built on technology skills and connectivity, this grant will help us provide future-ready learning for all of our students.”
“Equity, inclusion, and opportunity is the vision we have for all of our Marion Giants,” Marion Community Schools Superintendent Brad Lindsay said. “This GEERS grant will help us put this vision into action for the benefit of all of our students.”
The GEERS program encouraged public-private partnerships and a portion of the $1.1 million is allocated to St. Paul to improve their own connectivity for their staff and students.
