WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today announced that the Gallup-McKinley County and Jemez Valley Public School Districts will receive a total of almost $1 million to expand educational training programs and access to health care services.
The $974,631 of funding is made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
"This funding will allow Gallup and Jemez schools to use developments in technology to bring important distance education and health care access to our rural communities. Often times, these communities are left with too few options to enhance their health care and education systems. I am glad the USDA is able to help bridge the gap," Udall said.
Gallup-McKinley County School District will receive $499,486 to help 18 schools connect and create a first-time video teleconferencing system. The system will allow teachers and students in 10 communities in the Four Corners' region to share courses, initiate new courses and offer professional development for faculty.
Jemez Valley Public Schools will receive $475,145 to connect eight schools in the region through distance learning equipment that will allow them to offer advanced placement and language classes for students, and continuing education courses for teachers. The project will also link to the Jemez Valley Medical Clinic, which will provide medical support and training to the very small health staff that is shared among all schools in the project area.
