1997 Minnesota Statutes

     121.95 Education technology improvement clearinghouses. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment.  The commissioner of 
 children, families, and learning shall establish a grant program 
 for regional clearinghouses for school districts.  The grants 
 must be used to upgrade and refurbish computers that are donated 
 to schools and provide opportunities for student involvement.  
 The purposes of the enterprises are to: 

    (1) serve as centers where business or others may donate 
 new or used computer and other technology for use by Minnesota 
 schools; 

    (2) provide an opportunity for students to upgrade donated 
 and existing school-owned computers so that they are capable of 
 being connected to the Internet and local networks; and 

    (3) provide a means of informing schools of available 
 technology and distributing donated and upgraded computers to 
 schools for technology improvements in support of learning.  

    Each clearinghouse must encourage opportunities for 
 students to learn skills, including the technical skills needed 
 to retrofit and upgrade computers.  The clearinghouse shall 
 retain the ability to review equipment for suitability and 
 refuse equipment that does not meet the standards or is not 
 suitable for use in schools.  At a minimum, all donated 
 computers must be suitable for upgrade so that the retrofitted 
 computer can be connected to the Internet and a local computer 
 network. 

    Subd. 2.    Grants.  The commissioner shall establish 
 procedures and develop forms for applying for grants under this 
 section.  The grants may be used to purchase needed technology 
 for upgrading donated computers and other donated technology, 
 for the cost of computer distribution, and for the cost of 
 informing businesses and others about technology donations to 
 the clearinghouse.  The commissioner shall develop guidelines 
 for the use and distribution of any computers donated and 
 upgraded through this grant program.  The commissioner may 
 establish priorities and prorate grants to match appropriations 
 for the grant program. 

    HIST: 1996 c 412 art 12 s 1