Fallsburg, Monticello Schools Get Internet Money
Rep. Delgado Delivers an Additional $1 Million to Upstate Schools
WASHINGTON, November 2021 – Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) has secured an additional $1 million for upstate schools to connect students with the Internet. Twelve schools across Dutchess, Sullivan, Schoharie, Delaware, Ulster, and Columbia counties, including Fallsburg and Monticello, are receiving grants from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund, which Rep. Delgado voted to create via the American Rescue Plan. The funding can be used to purchase devices, establish broadband connections, and help end the digital divide.
Fallsburg received $81,150.36 in funding, while Monticello was awarded $157,200.00.
“Broadband is a necessity, not a luxury, for our upstate students,” said Congressman Delgado. “I was proud to support the creation of the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which is delivering over a million in grants to our local schools. Students from Dutchess to Schoharie will have greater access to devices and broadband service thanks to this funding. I will keep working to ensure every upstate school district, teacher, and family has reliable internet access.”
“The Monticello Central School District used Emergency Connectivity Fund monies to ensure that live-streamed remote instruction was possible for all students and staff in the district. Our ECF allocation was used specifically to provide instructional staff with updated laptops. This allowed us to use other federal and state resources for internet hotspots, software, and other devices. We are most appreciative of Congressman Delgado’s continued support of our students and community,” said Monticello Central School District Superintendent Matthew T. Evans, Ed. D.
“The Fallsburg Central School District owes Rep. Delgado a special debt of gratitude for working hard to get us American Rescue Plan funding. This funding stream is allowing us to provide opportunities to our students and school community that we would not have otherwise had an opportunity to provide during a normal budgeting process,” Fallsburg Central School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz said.
One other school district in Sullivan County, Sullivan West, was awarded funding, receiving $46,263.25.
The Emergency Connectivity Fund program will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus learning, such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.