Woodbridge School District Gets $3.1 Million To Buy Laptops

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — In January, the Woodbridge school district will receive $3.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan money aimed to ensure that all children in the school district have access to high-speed Internet.

The Woodbridge school district can use the money to purchase modems, laptops and tablets for students and teachers, broadband service and more — anything to do with connecting to the Internet.

Some may worry that ensuring all children have access to tablets and computers might make it easier for schools to go back to virtual learning.

However, Woodbridge Congressman Frank Pallone said this money for Woodbridge schools will benefit children for years to come.

“This funding will help students do their homework, research and complete at-home projects long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over,” said Pallone (D-NJ6). “This funding is a critical investment in the future of young people in our state, and I will continue to work to ensure that access to broadband and technology is not a barrier to learning for any student.”

Pallone secured the money through the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF). The money comes out of the $1.9 trillion (yes, trillion) American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Biden in March.

Schools and libraries in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District have received over $11.1 million, and New Jersey has received over $96 million from the fund in total.

Here are all the schools in Congressman Pallone’s Sixth District that got the FCC funding:

• Woodbridge School District $3,140,755

• Edison Township School District $2,060,221

• Marlboro Township School District $173,600

• Middlesex County STEM Charter School $87,536

• Saint James School $24,870

• Saint Joseph School $17,133

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This article originally appeared on the Woodbridge Patch