WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took major steps recently to expand digital learning opportunities made possible by the E-rate program. According to a release issued by the FCC, modernizing E-rate, the government’s largest educational technology program, is essential to closing the Wi-Fi gap in schools and libraries.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The decision to place a statewide school construction bond, known as Assembly Bill (AB) 2235, on the November ballot is still up for debate as Gov. Jerry Brown still has not said whether or not he will terminate the proposal before allowing Californians to vote on it.
BOSTON — Legislators in both Massachusetts and Louisiana last week dealt blows to charter schools in their respective states. The Massachusetts Senate has voted down legislation to gradually eliminate the enrollment cap placed on some state charters, while the Louisiana State Bond Commission has asked charter school officials to delay their request to devote public school funds to charter school construction.
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, the charitable arm of Wine Spectator magazine, is making a substantial investment in the future of viticulture with a $3 million gift to Sonoma State University. The funds will be dedicated to the construction of the university’s new Wine Business Institute facility, the Wine Spectator Learning Center.
CLOVER, S.C. — Builders, renovators and planners are working through the summer to finish up upgrade projects in the Clover School District in time to start work on the five larger projects approved by voters in March as part of the $67 million bond referendum, which will pay part of the $99 million construction plan.
WAIHAPU, Hawaii — The Hawaii Department of Education and Waihapu Intermediate School have partnered with Santa Monica, Calif.-based DLR Group to design a facility that will house the school’s new DREAMS Program. The Digital media, Robotics, Engineering/Electronics, Animation, Music and Science (DREAMS) facility will serve the school’s 1,200 seventh and eighth grade students, and allow the school to provide 21st century learning opportunities in a collaborative, student-led environment.
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland school board last week approved a $200 million extension of the $335 million bond issue passed in 2001. It would go towards the city’s $1 billion, 13-year construction plan that would replace 20 existing schools with new buildings as well as renovate 23 others. As such, the November ballot will likely include a property tax that would pay for the additional cost of the plan, which voters will approve or not.
ALTON, Texas — Construction on a new Mission Collegiate High School (MCHS) campus in Alton, Texas is expected to begin July 1. If construction goes as planned, the new school building will be completed next summer in time for students to move in for the 2015-2016 school year.
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Dwight-Englewood School officials broke ground June 3 on the new Hajjar STEM Center building. The $20 million facility is key component of the school’s master plan, and will integrate its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.
SAN FRANCISCO — The , which was integrated into the new LEED Version 4 rating system, may be the next rating system for product manufacturing companies in the school construction market to consider.
