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Logansport Community School Corporation receives Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund grant

Last Updated on September 24, 2020 by University of Indianapolis / Logansport Community School Corporation

SOURCE: News release from University of Indianapolis and Logansport Community School Corporation

CASS COUNTY— Logansport Community School Corporation is one of 30 school districts in Indiana named as a recipient of a grant obtained by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. The $4.8 million grant will fund devices and broadband connectivity across nine Education Service Centers and 23 school districts in rural areas across the State of Indiana, as well as supporting professional development to improve educators’ capacity to provide engaging and effective online instruction in a total of 30 districts across the state.

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis will partner with the Central Indiana Education Service Center (CIESC) during the next two years to disburse the funds and arrange for training. In addition to providing broadband for rural areas that frequently lack high-speed internet access, $3.3 million in funds will be used to connect families to the internet as well as to buy equipment such as laptops for students and teachers. The additional $1.5 million is supporting professional development for teachers in the 30 local districts.

The $4.8 million awarded to CELL is one of the larger amounts distributed by the State of Indiana from the $61.6 million in GEER funding that the State received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CELL organized the group of districts to allow them to benefit from the cooperative purchasing of devices and professional development for their staff as a networked group. The funds allow the Governor’s Office to provide support to local educational agencies and institutions of higher education with an application focused on developing and improving the availability of remote learning techniques and technologies.

“These grants will allow us to meet the unique needs of rural school districts and ensure that students and teachers have access to the technology they require to succeed. We are grateful to the Governor’s Office for this valuable opportunity to address the immediate concerns of the pandemic and to prepare educators in these school districts for the technological demands of the future,” said Janet Boyle, RECN executive director.

The Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana State Board of Education, and the Governor’s Office established the needs-based, competitive grant program to support the unique challenges associated with remote learning including device access, internet connectivity and educator training/development.

The following school districts and education centers will receive funding for devices and internet connectivity:
Crothersville Community Schools
Delaware Comm Schools
Franklin County
Frontier
Jay County
Whitko Community School Corp
North Lawrence
Logansport Community School Corp
Middlebury/Northridge
Monroe Gregg
MSD Wabash County
Mt. Vernon
North Central Parke
Northeast Dubois
Perry Central
Randolph Central/Winchester
Rising Sun
Southern Hancock/New Pal
Spencer-Owen
Union County School College Corner Joint School District
Vincennes Lincoln
Wabash City Schools

In addition to the districts listed above, the following districts will receive educator capacity professional development and curriculum support over the next two years:
Culver Community Schools
Eastern Greene
Lake Station Community Schools
Northeast School Corporation
School City of East Chicago
South Newton School Corporation
Union North United School Corporation
Western Wayne Schools

About CELL: Created in 2001, the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis has served as the leading convener, catalyst and collaborator for innovative education change. CELL’s mission is for all people in Indiana to experience meaningful and high-quality education. CELL partners with schools and communities to improve outcomes for students of all ages by leading sustainable educational innovation and transformation across Indiana.Providing leadership that is both cutting-edge and action-oriented, CELL unites districts, schools, communities, universities and businesses to build a sense of urgency and form innovative collaborations for statewide educational and economic improvement. Learn more: cell.uindy.edu

About the University of Indianapolis: The University of Indianapolis, founded in 1902, is a private university located just a few minutes from downtown Indianapolis. The University is ranked among the top National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, with a diverse enrollment of nearly 6,000 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students. The University offers a wide variety of study areas, including 100+ undergraduate degrees, more than 40 master’s degree programs and five doctoral programs. More occupational therapists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists graduate from the University each year than any other state institution. With strong programs in engineering, business, and education, the University of Indianapolis impacts its community by living its motto, “Education for Service.” Learn more: uindy.edu.

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