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Ansonia officials outline grant‑funded Chromebook purchases, streaming plans and a security‑upgrade shortfall
Summary
Technology and special education leaders told the board the district secured grant funding to buy 426 Chromebooks and E‑Rate support for internet service; administrators also described a SEED special education grant (~$247,000) and noted a $102,000 shortfall to finish planned security upgrades beyond grant coverage.
District technology and special education officials provided updates June 10 on hardware purchases, grants and capital needs that intersect with the board’s newly adopted budget.
Technology Director Vincent Pastore told the board the district has collection and repair work underway for Chromebooks and that grant funding was secured to purchase 426 new devices. Pastore also reported approvals under E‑Rate Category I that will subsidize internet and fiber connections. He said a visit to Cheshire High School demonstrated an expensive, dedicated streaming room; the board discussed a temporary solution now and a purpose‑built room when the new middle school is constructed.
Special Education Director Ms. Fenech summarized department enrollment shifts and described a SEED grant of approximately $247,000 that the district plans to use for supplies and in‑district programming intended to reduce costly out‑placement of students.
Facilities Director Bob Evans described planned capital work including removal of two oil tanks and security upgrades. School Business Administrator Mr. Marriott said the School Security Grant will cover roughly 76% of the security project and that the district would need about $102,000 more to complete remaining work.
Why this matters: the Chromebooks and E‑Rate approvals aim to support student access to digital coursework. The SEED grant funds and the security project gap are budgetary and operational matters the district must reconcile as it implements the adopted spending plan.
District staff said they will continue researching streaming options and pursue grant coordination to close remaining budget gaps for security and capital work.
