Royal High School Awaits $735,000 State Technology Grant

Royal High School is slated to receive a $735,000 state grant to buy new computers and printers, train teachers and plug into the Internet.

The grant is part of the state’s Digital High School Program, which is designed to boost technology at campuses throughout California.

Each year the state Department of Education randomly chooses schools to apply for the state grants. This year, 356 high schools statewide will receive about $135 million in funding.

Through the program, the department provides matching funds for wiring, purchasing hardware and training staff members.

Earlier this school year Fillmore High School was awarded $335,100. Simi Valley and Camarillo high schools applied but were not approved for the grants in this round, according to state education officials. The schools can reapply next month. Oxnard High School is also eligible this year but has not yet submitted an application.

Award totals are based on the size of enrollment, with Simi Valley eligible for $967,500, Camarillo $780,000 and Oxnard $930,000.

Sergio Garcia, assistant principal at Royal High School, said the school plans to use its money to buy two computers for every classroom, as well as scanners, printers and projectors. Administrators also hope to update the media lab and improve teacher technology training.

“We’re pretty excited and everybody’s celebrating,” Garcia said. “We can’t wait to get the first portion of the funding.”

Pending final state approval, the high school should receive about half of the money in July and the remainder in October.

Garcia said the school still is using some Apple IIE computers and is desperately in need of modernization.

“We want to prepare kids for the job place,” Garcia said. “We need technology to do that.”

The Digital High School program was launched in 1997 after an education task force found that California’s public schools are lagging behind other states in access to the Internet. To date, more than 1,000 schools statewide have been selected as digital high schools.

In previous years, Ventura County high schools that have received the grants include Rio Mesa, Ventura, Newbury Park, Buena, Hueneme and Oak Park.

“If you have nothing, it will enable you to put in the wires and connect up to the Internet,” said Larry Hiuga, education programs consultant for the state Department of Education. “If you are already connected and doing wonderful things, it will enable you to advance even further.”