Tennessee schools use Race to the Top funding to add CAT 6 and fiber-optic cablesCreated: 8/27/2010 7:03:31 PMOn Tuesday, school board members approved more than $280,000 in funds for improving the technology infrastructure at schools in Alcoa, Tennessee.
The new infrastructure upgrades include adding fiber-optic cables and CAT 6 copper cables to Alcoa middle and high schools, along with 22 switches and a new router, the Maryville Daily Times reports.
School officials have commissioned the new project to begin during the fall break, with the contracting group guaranteeing a completion by the time the school reopens on October 11.
Spending on the new project will include $229,000 in revenue awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top challenge, in addition to $57,000 in school construction bond revenue, the report relays.
Adding fiber-optic and CAT 6 cables will improve communication capabilities throughout the Alcoa school system. Both cables offer users fast and reliable connections, though many companies have focused on fiber-optic lines because they can span over longer distances without enduring significant signal distortion.
The Race to the Top initiative has set aside $3.3 billion specifically earmarked for states that successfully demonstrate their need and commitment to education. Tennessee and Delaware were the only two states to receive funding during the first round of fund allocation.
Cat6 Network Cable