With the support of Governor Taft and the Ohio General Assembly, eTech Ohio is making available SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funding to K-12 public school districts. The SchoolNet Plus budget totals approximately $4.35M in FY08 and is funded in whole from the Tobacco Settlement Education Technologies Trust Fund. SchoolNet Plus in FY2008 will target Grade 8 classrooms with a goal of one computer workstation per five students.

Ohio local, city and exempted village school districts are eligible if they served students in Grade 8 in FY07 and did not receive SchoolNet Plus Grant funds in FY06 or FY07. Community Schools that have served Grade 8 students since FY05 and did not receive SchoolNet Plus funds in FY06 or FY07 are also eligible for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds in FY2008. Educational Service Centers that provided direct instruction to students in Grade 8 last year are encouraged to work with the students’ home districts to receive funding to support the acquisition of computers for Grade 8 classrooms. All eligible entities must have a current (less than three-year-old), eTech Ohio approved technology plan to be considered for grant approval.

Complete the 4 requirements to apply for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8.

• Complete the online SchoolNet Plus application form.
• Have a current (less than three-year-old) eTech Ohio approved technology plan.
• Complete the Biennial Educational Technology Assessment (BETA08-09).
• Expend all SchoolNet Plus funds for Grade 7, and submit the Final Expenditure Report (FER).