Marin allotted $2.1M in internet access aid

March 20, 2022

Seven school districts and two libraries in Marin County have been selected to receive $2.1 million in federal aid to help students access high-speed internet at home.

Rep. Jared Huffman, whose district includes Marin, released a districtwide list Tuesday announcing the recipients of grants from the Federal Communications Commission’s “Emergency Connectivity Fund” program. The district has received nearly $8 million from the program that was created as part of the American Rescue Plan.

“This is great,” said John Carroll, the superintendent of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District and Lagunitas School District. Bolinas-Stinson received $58,988 and Lagunitas received $38,055.

“We’ve been working on internet hardware and software for both districts for a while,” said Carroll, a candidate for county schools superintendent. “We’re always needing to update the kids’ personal tech and internet access. This is going to be a big help.”

The ECF program was created so that schools, teachers and parents could ensure their students were able to take advantage of online learning and close what’s called the “homework gap.”

More than $7 billion was provided to California, according to the FCC. The funding will support the schools and libraries to purchase laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connectivity for off-campus use by students, school staff and library patrons.

Huffman, a Democrat who lives in San Rafael, said families in his district are no strangers to the hurdles caused by the digital divide that has been brought to the national spotlight through COVID-19.

“The world has moved online, and kids without access to the internet and the opportunities that provides are often left to fall behind,” Huffman said.

“I’m glad to have supported this program and will keep working to close the homework gap,” Huffman said. “Every student deserves the resources they need to succeed — regardless of their ZIP code or circumstance.”

San Rafael City Schools was allotted $614,610, one of the largest awards. Jim Hogeboom, the district superintendent, said the funding “is allowing us to better address the systemic inequities and barriers to learning that face many of our students.”

“As we expand technology and internet access, we are seeing the benefits of using innovative technology to enhance how we engage, excite and personalize learning for all SRCS students,” he said.

The Marin County Free Library also received a large sum, $548,350. Chantel Walker, assistant director of library services, said that since the start of the pandemic, the library has been partnering with Marin organizations to create Wi-Fi hotspots.

The funding will in part support the purchase of more than 200 broadband internet devices to be used by patrons at their homes.

“When the pandemic hit, children had to stay home, but some of them didn’t have broadband and they had to do their homework,” she said. “This grant is giving a huge opportunity to make internet access even more equitable.”

Other Marin institutions to receive grants include: the Belvedere Tiburon Library, $4,524; the Miller Creek School District, $274,970; the Reed Union Elementary District; $312,503; the Sausalito Marin City School District, $65,189.40; and the Shoreline Unified School District, $186,078.


By:  Adrian Rodriguez
Source: Marin IJ