KANNAPOLIS ó Every student at A.L. Brown High School will have a laptop computer this year, thanks to a nearly $2.6 million technology grant from the state.
Officials with Kannapolis City Schools learned Thursday that the system has won a $2,573,970 IMPACT Through Technology grant sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. The school system received 65 percent more money than it did last year
It’s the largest grant in the school system’s history.
“We’re so thrilled about getting this grant,” Superintendent Dr. Jo Anne Byerly said in a statement. “Especially with the tough budget this year, this money will help our students and teachers tremendously.”
Three schools will receive IMPACT money. A.L. Brown High School will receive the largest amount, $1,576,800. Kannapolis Middle School will receive $488,265, and Kannapolis Intermediate School $508,905.
A.L. Brown will use IMPACT money to buy enough laptops for all students to have their own computer at school, and the entire campus will have wireless Internet access. Kannapolis Middle School will buy additional laptops for students to use at school and will add multimedia equipment and other technology throughout the school.
Kannapolis Intermediate School will buy additional portable laptop labs and upgrade technology throughout the building. The grant also will pay for professional development so all KCS teachers learn how to integrate technology into lesson plans and improve student achievement.
The state increased the IMPACT grant this year because officials were impressed by the way the school system, led by technology director Brenda McCombs, implemented the grant last year, Byerly said.
“Their efforts are the reason we got more money this year,” Byerly said. “We have wonderful people in Kannapolis City Schools.”
With technology needs at the high school, middle school and intermediate school covered by the IMPACT grant, the school system will focus its regular technology budget on the district’s five elementary schools.
Kannapolis was one of four districts to receive an IMPACT grant last year.