Twenty Inland area high schools are in line to receive thousands of dollars in computer technology and wiring.
A $136 million pot of technology grants has been divvied among 315 high schools across the state as part of the Digital High School program.
The four-year project started last year in a quest to award technology money to all of the state's high schools by 2000. In two years, half of that goal has been reached, according to the state Department of Education.
Last year, 19 other Inland area schools were selected by lottery to buy computers, install Internet connections and train teachers.
This year's recipients include Eisenhower High School in Rialto, which could receive $1,082,700; both high schools in Lake Elsinore, set to get about $500,000 apiece; and three in Moreno Valley, slated to receive more than $800,000 each.
However, the funds are not a done deal until selected schools submit an application to the state and provide local funds to match the money provided. This dollar-for-dollar requirement can be met with prior technology purchases and donations.
Tom Wilson, administrative director for the Corona-Norco Unified School District, said most schools put themselves in the lottery only if they had met the matching requirement already.
Two of the six high schools in his district, Corona and Norco high schools, were recently selected from the 1,500 eligible statewide.
"The community and the parents will be able to see dramatic change," Wilson said.
Once the state board of education approves the application, schools will get balloon payments of $300 per student to install computers, Internet connections and software and $45 per student for ongoing costs including teacher training and maintenance.
"In addition to having a very poor ratio of computers to students, our children also have the oldest computers, on average, in America," State Superintendent Delaine Eastin said in a statement released Tuesday. "California must make a long-term commitment to updating technology."
Published 9/23/1998