TURNERS FALLS – The Gill-Montague Regional School District is taking full advantage of a grant given earlier this year to improve internet connections in its schools.
The Digital Connections Partnership Grant provided about $100,000 to assist the school with information technology infrastructure improvements. Currently, work is being done at Hillcrest and Sheffield Elementary schools to better connect both of the buildings.
At Hillcrest, every room is being wired with Ethernet cables and other hardware to create strong wired and wireless networks throughout the school.
At Sheffield, a new fiber optic connection is being installed to help second-floor classrooms have the same strong internet connection that exists on the first floor.
The project began last year with a $150,000 Federal E-Rate grant, but another $100,000 was needed to complete it. This Digital Connections grant will fulfill that monetary need.
Additionally, the grant will also allow the GMRSD to upgrade all network switches in Great Falls Middle and Turners Falls High schools so they can handle an upgraded fiber connection that is run through the building.
School committee members discussed the work at Tuesday’s meeting, and lauded the district’s Technology Director Tina Mahaney for working long hours to oversee the project.
“We appreciate her extra diligence to get this done,” said Committee Chairwoman Jane Oakes. “It’s been long-awaited and well-received.”
Reach Christie Wisniewski at:
cwisniewski@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280