Schools, Libraries Receive Millions for Devices, Connectivity

A range of dollar amounts — high and low — will go to K-12 schools and public libraries across California in the third round of commitments from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has committed some $921 billion to the state since the program began. Allowable purchases include services such as off-campus Internet and equipment including hot spots, modems, routers, laptops and tablets. Additionally, schools are allowed to equip school buses with Wi-Fi, something that took hold during pandemic closures.

The ECF is a $7.1 billion funding stream that is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Provided to schools and libraries, funding was made available through the FCC and followed a similar grant process to the E-rate program, according to Industry Navigator.*

Thirty-four third-round recipients will have access to more than $1 million each for equipment and services; overall, the FCC committed funding for more than 275 entities.

The five recipients with the largest total amounts (rounded) are:

• Los Angeles USD, $84 million with $44.8 million to equipment and $39 million to services
• Rialto USD, $7.6 million with $5 million to equipment and $2.6 million to services
• Madera USD, $6.5 million with almost all going to equipment
• West Contra Costa USD (Richmond), $6 million with $3.8 million to equipment and $2 million to services
• Los Angles Public Library System, $5.3 million with $2.4 million to equipment and $2.9 million to services

The lowest amounts include:

• Thermalito Union Elementary School District (Oroville), $3,963 total
• Casa Pacifica Schools (Camarillo), $3,290 total
• Alder Grove School (Eureka), $2,690 total
• Shasta County Office of Education (Redding), $2,390 total
• Aurum Preparatory Academy (Oakland), $1,463 total

Recipient jurisdictions have used money to equip students and residents across the state.

• Marin County Free Library was working with other agencies to provide hot spots for better Internet access in the community.
• Oakland USD reported that it was able to increase web and computer access for its 34,000 students since 2020.
• San Benito County Free Library had plans to collaborate with county entities to bring some 10,000 laptops and hot spots to the community and establish additional connections.

Here is a searchable table of where the funds went:
Andrew Adams contributed to reporting this story. He is a data reporter for Government Technology, sister publication to Industry Insider — California.

*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, parent company of Industry Insider — California.