Piedmont Council Discusses Internet Money For Schools

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The Piedmont City Council held a work session Tuesday to discuss whether or not the city will continue to provide money to the school system for internet technology.

According to budget figures presented during the meeting, the city has provided more than 1.9-million dollars for the school system since 2010, including the internet money as well as 1.16-million in bond payments, more than 435-thousand dollars for lights at the stadium and more than 168-thousand dollars for insurance.

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Councilman Ben Keller, who asked for the work session, had this reaction after learning the school system has a 700-thousand dollar reserve while the city has none.

Piedmont has a one-to-one laptop initiative that provides a Macbook for all students in grades 4-12.

Councilman Frank Cobb says he has heard there is an effort to bring that program to the entire state.

Mayor Bill Baker says the city is in the midst of a 10-year contract with ITS, in which the company rents fiber for 65-hundred dollars a month.

The city, in turn, gives 6-thousand 250 dollars of that to the schools for internet.

He fears if the city stops the allocation, ITS may pull out of that contract.

He was of course referring to Piedmont School Superintendent Matthew Akin.

The council is expected to vote on the issue during it’s December 3rd meeting.

 

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