Lincoln Action Plan -- Funding Sources
Funding Sources
Given competing needs at the school and limited economic resources within the Lincoln community, implementation of this technology plan will require a variety of funding sources and a phased acquisition plan. Funding will need to come through state and national grants, local budgets, local fund raising and other initiatives. Some possibilities for funding resources are noted below:
State of Vermont Grants and Initiatives.
The State of Vermont will oversee federal grants and initiatives that encourage the use and integration of information technology in the classroom. The Technology Literacy Challenge Grant program has already helped Lincoln Community School in its recent award of $7,500. With these funds, the school has purchased this year two new multimedia computers, high speed modems, an LCD panel for computer projection, reference software on CD-ROMs, and a professional development program on information literacy skills. In the coming year, the State of Vermont will receive over $2 million through this federal grant program. Lincoln will be eligible to apply for Technology Literacy Challenge Grant funds again in late spring, 1998.
The State of Vermont also appropriated $250,000 this year for the Govenor's Distance Learning Initiative. The requests for proposal for distance learning funds will be released in November, 1997. Lincoln may be able to seek funds to create a local area network through this grant.
Federal Initiatives
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has authorized discounted telecommunications rates for schools and libraries. This discounted rate has been labeled as the "E-Rate" (educational rate). This legislation provides $2.5 billion annually to schools and libraries across the nation to subsidize the cost of telephone service, telecommunications services, and local school networks. This initiative offsets the normal costs of such services by providing schools with discounts and will thereby reduce the cost of acquiring the services. Implementation of the E-Rate will begin in January, 1998. Lincoln will be able to apply for these discounts and may be able to receive substantial discounts. Savings from these discounts may enable Lincoln to upgrade its existing telephone system and to afford telecommunications services to bring the Internet to all classrooms.
Tax Dollars
Lincoln tax payers will need to support portions of this technology plan through ita annual budget. As Act 60 legislation takes effect in the next few year, Lincoln residents will experience a new formula for taxation which is likely to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. Nonetheless, Lincoln residents will continue to determine total expenditures for local school budgets. The information technology program will be included in this annually approved budget.
Bond Issues
Funding for certain portions of the technology plan could be funded by a separate article approved by Lincoln voters. The acquisition of a mini-lab, for example, represents a substantial initial expense, but does not represent a major annual expenditure. Expenses outside the normal operating expenses are perhaps best considered as a separate article.
Last Revised: 10/21/97