Danvers Schools Awarded $240K ARPA Funding For New Chromebooks

DANVERS, MA — More than a year after applying for a federal grant to purchase new computers for the district's youngest learners, Danvers Public Schools Director of Technology James Sullivan got an unexpected surprise in the mail.

"When we got the notice, I was wondering if it was a mistake," Sullivan said of the confirmation that the district had been awarded a $240,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant through the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund.

Sullivan applied for the grant back in May 2022 with hopes that the money would help the district replace the oldest Chromebooks — seven years old — in the district for about 500 kindergarten and first-graders.

"This is great news and will enhance teaching and learning for those students," said Superintendent Dan Bauer. "We appreciate the ongoing collaboration that helps us provide students with the most up-to-date equipment possible."

Sullivan said the district annually applies for funding through the E-rate program, which provides discounts for connectivity and equipment based on the number of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. He said the district typically leases the Chromebooks for four years at a time with kindergarten and first-graders turning them in at the end of each school year and middle and high school students keeping their Chromebooks for their entire time at their respective schools.

"There is no question that students and teachers benefit from having access to modern technology," Bauer said. "The district has made a commitment to provide that at all levels and we will continue to upgrade our infrastructure as best we can."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)