Additional Funding Sources Expand Bond Technology

Fort Worth ISD students will soon have greater access to the benefits of technology:

Internet research, better equipment, and software which supplements the district's core curriculum. Approximately $21.2 million of the total 1999 bond package was dedicated to upgrading technology throughout the Fort Worth ISD, but combining bond funds with a variety of other sources will result in an expanded $37.2 technology implementation program:

• the Board of Education has committed $2.8 million from the operating fund balance to technology
• FWISD will receive a four-year state technology allotment of $4.8 million
• a Technology Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grant of $450,000 was awarded to FWISD in August 1999
• Federal "E-rate" funds of $2.4 million were awarded in September 1999.

The expanded technology plan includes funding for an "I Can Learn" algebra lab at each Fort Worth high school. Middle and elementary schools will also receive new labs with Internet access.

A major component of this expansion will be the installation of four cable "drops" in all elementary and secondary classrooms (25,000 total drops). While not all drops will be activated immediately, it is more efficient to install all drops at the same time and activate them as computers are purchased.

Another major component added to the technology plan - 4,200 new classroom computers at a cost of $6.3 million - are not being paid for out of bond funds. These computers will be funded over the next four years out of the state technology allotment and the district*s general fund (contingent on annual budgetary constraints).