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CWSUS representatives ask Hamilton County Schools for $135,000 to expand Digital Tech Workshop
Summary
Representatives of CWSUS asked the Hamilton County Board of Education to pursue up to $135,000 to expand a 16‑week Digital Tech Workshop aimed at 100 underserved students, saying a $70,000 gift from the BlackRock Foundation (channeled through Chat 2.0) would cover student stipends and transportation. Board members pressed for clarity about the funding source and whether the county or the district is the applicant.
Representatives of a local nonprofit told the Hamilton County Board of Education they are seeking the board's support to secure up to $135,000 to expand a Digital Tech Workshop (DTW) aimed at underserved students.
"Our goal is to bring this program to 100 underserved students," said Bill Warden, a representative of the nonprofit CWSUS, as he described a 16‑week, 48‑hour semester that includes Microsoft Office, introductory Python, database development, website creation and industry certifications. Warden said Chat 2.0 informed the group that the BlackRock Foundation would commit $70,000 to provide student stipends, transportation assistance and other student expenses if DTW is selected.
Board members asked whether the $70,000 reduces the district request, how the BlackRock funds are being routed, and who is the formal applicant. "So it's Chat 2.0 who brought our program to BlackRock who then said yes if you all approve our program," Warden said. Board member Mr. King pressed for clarity on device provisioning: "You're saying the students get to keep the laptops that they use during this. So, that laptop money is coming from that $70,000 not the $135?" Warden replied that Tech Goes Home had provided devices in a prior pilot and that the $70,000 would be used to support students rather than to underwrite the program core.
Some board members expressed reservations about relying on outside providers for instruction the district already offers and about the role of private philanthropy. One board member, Ms. Boyd, said she was uncomfortable with the idea of funds tied to the BlackRock Foundation and asked for more information about the relationship, saying, "I don't really trust the charitableness of a defense contractor like BlackRock," and asking who would control how the funds are used. Several board members also questioned whether the request to "Hamilton County government" meant the county commission rather than the school district budget; board members deferred to district administration for clarification.
Warden and his colleagues offered scaled funding options if the full $135,000 is not approved: $90,000 for two high‑school classes or $45,000 for one. They said the program has previously worked with Chattanooga State and Cleveland State to offer credit transfer and with Tech Goes Home to supply student devices during the pilot.
The board did not vote on the request during the work session. Members said they would need follow‑up detail on where the $70,000 commitment stands, how devices would be funded and whether the formal ask is to county government or to the school system's upcoming budget. The presenters were invited to provide the board materials already in the packet and additional documentation for the board's review.
What happens next: Board members said the funding request will be followed up in the regular meeting cycle and in subsequent budget discussions; no formal vote was taken at the work session.
