Federal tech grants to bolster computer labs

The California Department of Education announced earlier this month that five school districts serving Camarillo and Somis students will receive nearly $64,000 in technology grants.

In all, 1,062 school districts across the state, including 23 in Ventura County, will receive the grants.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the state agency $71 million in Enhancing Education through Technology funds. The state Legislature recently approved paying $34 million of the federal stimulus money to help economically disadvantaged students.

The state agency will distribute the remaining $37 million after legislators release the funds with the governor’s approval.

Officials with the Pleasant Valley, University charter and Oxnard Union High school districts said they’ll spend their share of money to train teachers and purchase computer equipment.

The Pleasant Valley School District is expected to receive $8,097.

Jennifer Clark, budget and technology director, said the money will buy more computer equipment than the district usually purchases. The 6,500-student Pleasant Valley School District usually receives about $4,000 a year in technology funding.

“It’s going to help me plug some of the bigger holes,” Clark said. “Unfortunately you’re not going to be able to do a lot with $8,000, but . . . I’ll take it.”

Clark said the amount is low compared with schools of a similar size because Pleasant Valley has a relatively small number of poor students.

For instance, Hueneme Elementary School District, though comparable in size to Pleasant Valley, has more lowincome students and is expected to receive $37,773 in technology funds.

The state will give University Preparation and University Charter Middle schools at Cal State University Channel Islands $1,299 and $732, respectively.

University schools Superintendent Linda Ngarupe said her district will update computers in labs at the 490-student elementary school and the 240-student middle school. If any money is left over, the district will hire a computer lab instructor to help teach students.

“It’s not a lot of money,” Ngarupe said, “but every little bit of money helps.”

Parents have access to the schools’ computer labs so they can sharpen their skills and, in turn, help their children learn at home.

The school districts in Somis, Somis Academy and Somis Union, will receive $266 and $1,732, respectively.

The state will give $51,873 to the Oxnard Union High School District. Puneet Sharma, director of technology services, said Oxnard Union will divide the money among its seven high schools and ask principals how they want to spend it. In general, the district will spend most of the money on what it calls “intelligent classrooms.” The district will purchase state-of-the art teaching equipment, such as interactive smart boards, instructional software and document cameras, which are similar to but more powerful than overhead projectors.

Sharma said the entire community benefits when students progress academically, complete their education and become productive citizens who contribute to the economy.

“It will be a big achievement for the community—the whole Oxnard, Camarillo community,” he said.