While members of the Rotary Club of Douglas County were grateful that the school system had acquired enough Chromebooks and laptops to provide to every student for online learning in August, they recognized that some families might have trouble coming up with the required $25 technology fee. To assist families in need and to support the education of students in Douglas County, the Rotary Club presented a check for $10,000 to the Board of Education on November 2.

The donation will cover the technology fees for 400 DCSS students. The fee covers minor repairs, replacement of batteries and other costs associated with electronic devices. The One-to-One Technology initiative, which provides a learning device for all students, was underway before the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, the school system accelerated the timeline for the initiative.

The Douglas County School System is also grateful to the nonprofit Beyond the Front Porch and other generous individuals who donated technology fees for students over the last few months.

Making the presentation at the Board of Education meeting were Rotary members (front row, left to right): John Baker; Gil Shearouse; Joe Williams; Tekmekia Gilchrist; and James Harper. Pictured in the back row: Superintendent North; Board Chair Tracy Rookard; Board Member Devetrion Caldwell; Vice Chair Michelle Simmons; and Board Members Rita Fasina-Thomas and D.T. Jackson.