INFORMATIONAL

  Chapter 924, 1997 Virginia Acts of Assembly, states that for
  the purposes of technology funding for school divisions,
  eligible schools shall include those reporting membership as
  of September 30, 1997, as well as division and regional
  vocational centers, regional special education centers, and
  regular school year regional Governor's Schools.  

  These funds may be used to provide for the retrofitting and
  upgrading of existing school buildings, to provide network-ready
  multimedia microcomputers for classrooms, and to
  provide network-ready microcomputers for student use.  Grant
  funds may be used to purchase re-engineered microcomputers,
  and multimedia microcomputers, or to upgrade existing
  microcomputer systems, where such purchases or upgrades
  provide appropriate computing capacity on a cost-effective
  basis.  Funds may also be used to provide other educational
  technologies as set forth in the local school division's
  approved technology plan.

  Localities are required to provide a match for these funds
  equal to 20 percent of the grant amount.  At least 25
  percent of the local match shall be used for teacher
  training in the use of the technology.

  It is anticipated that bonds will be sold sometime in early
  spring for this program.  Attached is a printout indicating
  the number of schools eligible to participate in this
  technology initiative.  The regional special education
  centers, regional vocational centers, and regional
  Governor's Schools have been included with the division that
  is serving as the fiscal agent.   Please review the data,
  and if you have any corrections or questions, please call
  Mrs. June Eanes, Budget Director, at (804) 225-2060.

  RTL:je

  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its attachment
                 will be sent to the superintendent's office.