[1st-mile-nm] Tularosa Schools seek funds for digital devices + internet access for students

[Richard Lowenberg]

There is a second article under the same story URL.

N.M. lawmakers talk rural internet access, is copied below
after the Tularosa story.   RL

https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/education/2020/05/26/tularosa-schools-seeks-funds-digital-devices-internet-access-students/5261994002/

Jessica Onsurez, jonsurez at currentargus.com
Alamogordo Daily News
May 26, 2020

The Tularosa Board of Education, in a Tuesday special session held 
online, approved the submission of an application for $477,087 to 
purchase electronic devices for Tularosa students through the C.A.R.E.S. 
Act....

  The Act distributes the funds through the Elementary and Secondary 
School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, said Tularosa Superintendent 
Brenda Vigil.

Vigil said, if the application is approved, the funds would be used to 
help students access education online via digital devices, and even 
provide access to internet service.

"The money would provide every kid a device," Vigil told board members 
in attendance.

Board president Cody Hill inquired about providing internet service in 
the rural area.

Vigil said other school districts in New Mexico have developed unique 
solutions to address internet access.

Gadsden Independent School District in Doña Ana County initiated a trial 
program by to bring more internet connectivity to its students. It 
outfitted school buses as "hotspots" and parked them in the communities 
of Anapra, Berino, Chamberino and Chaparral. Students and residents were 
allowed to drive up and connect to the bus hotspot during weekdays.

New Mexico public schools were closed in March as a result of public 
helath emergency orders meant to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 
coronavirus which causes COVID-19 disease.

Though many parts of the state - rural areas in particular - suffer from 
gaps in internet connectivity, the Public Education Department ordered 
public schools to move to remote learning.

Per U.S. Census data, just 614,000 New Mexico households had broadband 
internet subscriptions in 2018: 77 percent of households statewide, and 
well below the national average of 85 percent that year.

The Tularosa Board members passed the requested application for 
emergency funds unanimously; a second agenda item listing a Budget 
Adjustment Request related to the application was also approved.

----

N.M. lawmakers talk rural internet access

On May 18, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced support of 
legislation to ensure students have access to internet during the 
coronavirus pandemic.

Heinrich introduced the Emergency Educational Connections Act, a piece 
of legislation appropriating $2 billion for the endeavor.

Its U.S. House of Representative's companion bill upped that request to 
$4 billion.

“Now more than ever, as many schools remained closed as a result of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, internet access is vital for students to continue 
their education. Closing the digital divide and connecting students with 
online resources and assistance will be key to ensuring their academic 
success," said Heinrich.

"I am proud to support this effort in the Senate and will continue to 
fight for long-term federal investments in broadband infrastructure in 
rural communities and Indian Country to ensure that every student in New 
Mexico has access to the internet.”

Along the same vein, Heinrich joined 17 Senate Democrats in signing a 
letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai. In 
the letter, the lawmakers request the agency extend the 2.5 GHz Rural 
Tribal Priority Window by 180 days.

According to a news release from Heinrich's office, the extension would 
allow tribal governments more time "to secure access to unassigned 
spectrum over tribal lands suitable for both mobile coverage and 
broadband services as Indian Country continues to be ravaged by the 
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic."


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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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