The State of Tennessee Department of Education announced this week that three Knox County elementary schools will be among 38 in the state to receive $50,000 mini-grants to purchase modern multi-media computers for instructional, classroom, or library use.

Carter, Shannondale and West View Elementary Schools all qualified for the grants based on their exemplary value-added grades in all five content areas on their 2000 School Report Card.

The grant money has strict use requirements, according to Jim Idol, Knox County Schools Supervisor of Technology. "It can be used only to purchase modern multi-media computers for instructional, classroom, or library use. This means no printers, cameras, external drives, or other peripherals; no furniture; no supplies," said Idol.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for these schools to rapidly add to their multi-media capability. The state requires the money to be spent by the end of September. This means the schools should receive the new equipment in short order," Idol continued.

" We need to invest about $10,000 a year to stay current in technology," said Christine Williams, principal at Shannondale Elementary School. "This $50,000 will put us well ahead of schedule on our five year technology plan, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity," she said.

The three Knox County schools were among 38 schools selected from over 80 schools across the state that were eligible for the grants.

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