| Testimonials
Pecos
Independent School District
The
Pecos Independent School District is located in San
Miguel County. According to the US Census Bureau, 37.7%
of children age 5-7 live in poverty. The median household
income is $22,772. Currently our district participates
in a 100% free and reduced breakfast and lunch program.
The population of the Pecos School District is made
up of approximately 900+ students who live in several
small villages within San Miguel County, New Mexico.
According
to a Commerce Department study release in the Summer
of 2000 found that households with incomes of $75,000
and higher were 20 times more likely to have access
to the Internet and 9 times more likely to own a computer.
Further, 32% of white families owned a computer compared
with 9% of Black and Hispanic families. The study seems
to indicate that there is a "digital divide"
occurring that has left minorities with unequal access
to computers and the Internet.
The
Pecos Independent School District applied for and received
funding from the Federal e-rate program and passed General
Obligation Bonds in order to build the infrastructure
necessary for both wired and wireless technology. To
date the District has received approximately $737,608.45
in federal e-rate funding. The passing of General Obligation
Bonds enabled 2.9 million dollars for technology.
Computer
Assets has been our vendor of choice for the last four
e-rate funding cycles and will most likely continue
with us as funding permits. Computer Assets approached
our district with a commitment to work with us to find
a total communications solution that would meet our
needs. As such, they have been able to engineer and
install one of the most state-of-the-art network infrastructures
in the State of New Mexico. Computer Assets has helped
our district effectively provide Internet connectivity
to all schools, and most recently, installed the infrastructure
necessary to provide wireless access throughout the
school district campus.
Because
of their diligent efforts toward a total communications
solution, the Pecos Independent School district has
been able to address the issue of the "digital
divide" that is occurring across the nation. The
District appreciates the fact that Computer Assets has
the vision that is necessary so that small rural districts
in New Mexico have the same "access" as larger,
more affluent communities within the state.
Many
times the District has had to contact Computer Assets
for technical support as it relates to the network.
Each time, they have responded in a timely manner and
have worked beyond the normal workday if need be.
The
District feels strongly about technology integration
for faculty, students and community members. We know
that as we plan for the future, Computer Assets will
be an integral part of the planning process.
Emily Ortiz,
District Technology Coordinator
Pecos Independent School District
January 10, 2002
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