2017 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 16. Department of administration.
16.9945 Information technology block grants.
16.9945 Information technology block grants.
(1) Competitive grants. In fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19, the department may annually award grants on a competitive basis to eligible school districts for the purpose of improving information technology infrastructure. For purposes of awarding grants under this section, “improving information technology infrastructure” includes purchasing and installing on a bus a portable device that creates an area of wireless Internet coverage and purchasing for individuals to temporarily borrow from a school a portable device that creates an area of wireless Internet coverage. In awarding grants under this section, the department shall give priority to applications for school districts in which the percentage of pupils who satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) for a free or reduced-price lunch is greater than in other applicant school districts. The department shall require an applicant for a grant under this section to provide all of the following:
(a) A description of the specific information technology infrastructure, including any equipment, that the applicant intends to purchase with grant proceeds.
(b) The applicant's plan to purchase, install, and use the information technology infrastructure described in par. (a).
(c) A description of the applicant's readiness to use information technology infrastructure purchased with grant proceeds.
(2) Eligible school districts.
(a) A school district is eligible for a grant under this section in fiscal year 2017-18 if the school district's membership in the previous school year divided by the school district's area in square miles is 16 or less.
(b) A school district is eligible for a grant under this section in fiscal year 2018-19 if the school district's membership in the previous school year divided by the school district's area in square miles is 16 or less.
(3) Maximum awards. The total amount the department may award to an eligible school district under sub. (1) during a fiscal biennium may not exceed the following:
(a) If the membership of the eligible school district is fewer than 750 pupils, $30,000.
(b) If the membership of the eligible school district is 750 pupils to 1,500 pupils, $40 multiplied by the school district's membership.
(c) If the membership of the eligible school district is more than 1,500 pupils, $60,000.
(4) Funding limitation.
(a) The department may not award grants under this section that total more than $15,000,000 in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
(b) The department may not award grants under this section that total more than $7,500,000 in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
(5) Sunset. The department may not award grants under this section after July 1, 2019.
