ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610030038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
What locality would come to mind if you were asked about technology in Virginia's public school divisions?
Someplace south of Roanoke maybe, like Franklin County?
The small, rural school division took a major step Wednesday toward its goal of better preparing students to become the work force of the future.
The county school system has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to integrate computers and other technology into its curriculum at every grade level.
Franklin County was one of only two school divisions in the state - Norfolk was the other - to receive the Challenge Grant monies. Only 24 of 586 applicants nationwide were awarded the grants, which totaled $23 million.
The county applied for the money last year, but was turned down. A team of grant writers, including communications director Betty Blair, instructional specialist Tammy McGraw and communications specialist Cynthia Taylor, revised last year's application and submitted it again.
Blair said the 1995 application wasn't comprehensive enough - that it failed to present a plan benefiting all grade levels.
The 1996 plan did, and the team's work paid off.
The county will receive five annual installments starting this year that add up to the $1.5 million.
"I think it helped that we were realistic in what we asked for considering our size," Blair said. "We're happy. A chance like this doesn't come along often."
By comparison, Norfolk, a much larger school system, will receive a total of $5.9 million in grant funds over the next five years.
The grant is especially meaningful this year to Franklin County. In April, the school system broke ground for its innovative Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration.
The center, to be located off North Main Street in Rocky Mount, will use a technological curriculum to steer students toward a career path as early as the eighth or ninth grade.
The $6 million center is scheduled to open next year, and some of the Challenge Grant money will be used for its staffing and equipment.
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