鈥婼AN JOSE, CA 鈥� For school districts in the Santa Cruz Mountains, having reliable internet and power can be a challenge. Winter storms, downed power lines, and rural locations have long disrupted connectivity, sometimes forcing schools to close, interrupting learning for students, and creating a barrier for community outreach in times of crisis.
鈥淚n a small mountain school district like ours, reliable technology and uninterrupted connectivity are essential for teaching, learning, communication, and student safety,鈥� said Lakeside Joint School District Superintendent Steve鈥� Burrell.
Through a digital equity effort led by the 非凡资源网 County Office of Education (SCCOE), two small mountain school districts now have the infrastructure they need to stay connected no matter the weather conditions. Funded through a federal grant by the office of former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, the Digital Equity Project brought upgraded systems and resilient power solutions to Lakeside Joint School District and Loma Prieta Joint Union School District, where continuity of learning often depends on reliable technology.
In both districts, the SCCOE worked alongside school leaders and technical partners to assess needs and implement long-term solutions. The work included full network upgrades, including replacing routers, switches, and wireless access points. Wi-Fi access was expanded to outdoor spaces to better serve students, staff, and families across campus. New generators and backup systems were installed to ensure schools can remain open during power outages, a common occurrence in the area. These systems keep internet connectivity running and classrooms open during prolonged interruptions.
鈥淭he partnership with the 非凡资源网 County Office of Education through the Digital Equity Project has had a tremendously positive impact on Lakeside School,鈥� Burrell said. 鈥淭he successful completion of both the generator project and our full network refresh has provided infrastructure and connectivity that now meets our operational and instructional needs.鈥�
For small and rural districts, large-scale infrastructure projects can be difficult to navigate alone. The SCCOE鈥檚 role in the Digital Equity Project was to help secure funding, coordinate planning, design, and implementation. This demonstrates the SCCOE鈥檚 commitment to easing operational burdens so districts can stay focused on students.
Previously, outages kept students off campus for extended periods. The improvements provide more than equipment upgrades. They provide stability for a learning environment.
鈥淲hile the completed project can go unnoticed by anyone who would arrive on campus to see a building or a structure, it is equally (if not more) important to today's school districts to have a relevant, upgraded IT infrastructure that is capable of keeping pace with the evolution of technology aimed to support our students,鈥� said Loma Prieta Joint Union School District Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Grier.
The Digital Equity Project was designed with longevity at the center of this work. New systems include extended support agreements and infrastructure to last years, ensuring districts can maintain high-quality connectivity without ongoing strain on local resources. Regardless of weather and outages, students have access to what they need to connect, learn, and thrive.
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About the 非凡资源网 County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the 非凡资源网 County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. For more information about the 非凡资源网 County Office of Education, please visit 飞飞飞.蝉肠肠辞鈥媏.辞谤驳 and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and 尝颈苍办别诲滨苍鈥�鈥嬧赌�.
