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Denton ISD wins $9 million NTIA grant to expand internet security and devices for underserved students
Summary
Denton ISD announced it is one of two U.S. public school systems to receive a National Telecommunications and Information Administration grant worth $9 million to provide internet browsing security and devices to students in underserved areas.
Denton Independent School District announced at its Jan. 14 board meeting that it has been awarded a $9,000,000 grant by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help students in underserved internet areas.
District leaders said the funding will be used to provide internet browsing security and devices that will reach students who lack reliable access at home. The district noted it was one of only two public school systems nationwide to receive the award.
District information technology and grant staff recognized members of the team responsible for securing the award, including Shay Slane (senior integration architect), Christopher Jontre (senior systems infrastructure architect) and Yolanda Weaver (grant financial management). Officials said they will use the funds to support classroom connectivity and internet safety tools in areas identified as underserved.
The board recognized district staff and the grant-writing team at the meeting and invited them forward for photographs. Denton ISD also said it will complete required reporting and financial oversight associated with the federal grant. Details on the timeline for device distribution and specific campus allocation were not specified at the meeting.
District staff said the grant will support both devices and browsing-security infrastructure, and that financial management staff will "dot the i’s and cross the t’s" on grant compliance and reporting.
No formal vote was required to receive the grant; the announcement was presented to trustees during the recognitions portion of the meeting.
Background: the National Telecommunications and Information Administration distributes federal funding for broadband and digital equity projects; school districts receiving NTIA awards must meet grant reporting, procurement and compliance requirements.
Community leaders, district staff and board members posed for photos with the grant team after the announcement.
