WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Funding from part of the American Rescue Plan has made its way to school districts across the state, including several in Whatcom County.
Senator Patty Murray said in a statement that so far, over $88 million has gone towards broadband funding for hundreds of Washington school districts and public libraries.
The money comes from the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, or ECF, which sets aside federal spending for digital needs.
Five Whatcom County school districts and the Whatcom Intergenerational High School were chosen to receive funding.
So far, over $620,000 has been spent on equipment and internet access for students in the Meridian School District.
Lynden, Nooksack Valley and Ferndale public schools have also seen 6-figure funding from the ECF.
Senator Murray added that access to high-speed internet was an issue before the pandemic, and that students should be able to access the education they deserve.
Below is a full list of districts and the amount of funding they’ve received
- MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT 505, BELLINGHAM, $621,896.24
- LYNDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT 504, LYNDEN, $547,964.16
- NOOKSACK VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 506, EVERSON, $312,698.59
- FERNDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT 502, FERNDALE, $285,758.00
- WHATCOM INTERGENERATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, BELLINGHAM, $30,028.80
- MOUNT BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 507, DEMING, $14,700.00