Troy Public Schools receive large technology grant

Troy Public Schools has received a large grant that will help its educators and students.

According to school Superintendent/Principal Jacob Francom, the school received word of the award earlier this summer.

“It’s pretty exciting to receive a grant of this size,” Francom said. "The grant is huge for Troy Schools and the Troy Community. Students and staff will have fast internet to help student learning outside of school.

"Further, new Chromebooks and computers are provided for each student and teacher which will help all to keep connected to each other, continue learning, and connect with the world," Francom added.

The federal grant was for $455,020 and comes from the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund.

Congress authorized the Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The money will help schools and libraries cover reasonable costs of laptop and tablet computers; Wi-Fi hotspots; modems; routers; and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff and library patrons.

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework and virtual learning.

Schools and libraries can also receive funding for commercially available broadband service that provides a fixed or mobile broadband connection for off-campus use by students, school staff or library patrons.

In limited instances, a school or library that can demonstrate it has no available service options sufficient to support remote learning may seek funding for the construction of new networks to provide remote learning and the equipment needed for datacasting services.

Schools in Montana have received millions in grants to improve their connectivity.