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BPS, public surtax dollars leveraged for tech discounts
Brevard Public Schools was recently approved for $7.9 million in technology discounts for the 2016 and 2017 E-Rate program ling years. This approval, in combina on with sales surtax educa onal- technology funds, will allow BPS to provide wireless connec vity to every classroom by April 2018.
The federally-administered E-rate program
was established in 1996 to create equal telecommunica ons access across the
country’s K-12 educa on and library
systems. In 2015, the program was
modernized placing emphasis on wireless
broadband equipment and services required
to deliver digital resources to our schools and libraries.
Said Russell Cheatham, BPS’ chief informa on o cer, “These enhancements are how our students expect to learn in this digital age. The challenge becomes pu ng new sustainable devices in the hand of our students with many compe ng educa onal needs.”
Discounts are applied to speci c services such as Internet, telecommunica on and network and wireless equipment purchases. The district uses a combina on of reimbursable and upfront purchase discounts.
“BPS is grateful for the local surtax and federal discount opportuni es allowing us to transform our classrooms for the bene t of student learning,” said Cheatham.
District leader named as Principal of the Year nalist
Rick Fleming, principal of West Shore Jr./Sr. High, is one of three nalists for Florida’s 2018 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership (Principal of the Year).
For more than 23 years, Fleming has served the school district in various teaching and administra ve roles. To enhance team camaraderie, Fleming ins tuted a “Wildcat Winner” program at faculty mee ngs where teachers acknowledge
each other’s hard work and dedica on. He is o en sought upon for his leadership
exper se, and he serves on various commi ees that are focused on improving educa on. He is praised for leading by example and serving as a role model for his students, sta and community.
Commissioner of Educa on Pam Stewart said in a statement, “It is a great honor to recognize these principals and assistant principals whose hard work and commitment to Florida’s students sets them apart, and I look forward
to celebra ng them next month at the Commissioner’s Summit for Principals.”
The winners will be named during the Commissioner’s Summit for Principals on February 9 in Orlando. The 2018 Principal of the Year will receive a cash prize of $5,000, and the remaining Principal of the Year nalists will receive $1,500. The 2018 Assistant Principal of the Year will receive a cash prize of $3,500, and the remaining Assistant Principal of the Year nalists will receive $1,061.
Candidates for these awards were nominated by the superintendent from their respec ve school districts. Complete lists of candidates from each district for
both categories are available online: 2017-18 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership District Winners and 2017-18 Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award District Winners.
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