EDUCATION

Dansville school eligible for technology funds

Dansville Central School is eligible for nearly $32,000 in grant money to purchase new technology and software to improve their readiness for computer-based testing and a technology-rich learning environment, according to the state Education Department.

The funding is part of a $225 million settlement agreement reached between New York State consumers and Microsoft Corp. in 2006. The state Education Department established the New York State School Technology Voucher Program to distribute the funds in the form of vouchers to eligible schools.

Schools will receive $87 million through the program.

Schools that serve low-income students are eligible for a share of the money. Dansville’s Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School is the only Livingston County school on the list of eligible districts.

Funding will be available to eligible public and charter schools in which at least 50 percent of the attending students receive free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program. The voucher amounts assigned to eligible schools will be based on the total funding available and the number of applications from eligible schools.

Hyde Elementary, with 51 percent of its students receiving free or reduced price meals during 2011-2012, is eligible for $31,984 in total funding, according to the Education Department. The funding includes $16,086 for general purpose vouchers and $15,898 for specific category software vouchers.

The vouchers, which can be redeemed for eligible products from any technology company, can be used to purchase computer hardware, software, and equipment needed for computer networks and technology infrastructure. Vouchers were to be available starting Feb. 12 and may be used for purchases made since Sept. 1, 2012. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 1, 2014.

An online voucher claim system is expected to be ready in April.

All districts that successfully complete the application process for their eligible schools will be funded.

School districts can coordinate and apply for the vouchers on behalf of the eligible public schools within their district. Program guidelines and application requirements to eligible schools at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/technology/programs/techvouchers.html .