Now in its sixth year, the SkyLine Membership Corporation’s Technology Education Grant Program has awarded grants totaling $55,000 to school systems in the co-op’s five-county service area for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Ashe County Schools received $19,000.

For the past five years, the program’s focus has been to enhance student access to technology in the classroom through the placement of SMART Board systems and related equipment in media centers, computer labs and classrooms. This year, the program is funding a variety of technology needs that range from SMART Board-related equipment and iPad handheld computers to special programs tied to one-to-one initiatives that may include Internet access.

“Technology not only impacts us as a communications provider; it also impacts practically every aspect of our lives, including the educational arena,” said SkyLine Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Blevins. “We value the partnership we have with our public schools and know that we support education, we’re making a sound investment in our community’s future.”

In Ashe County, the SkyLine grant of $19,000 will support the high school as it ushers in the latest hand-held student application with the use of iPad devices in its social studies curriculum.

“Ashe County Schools is honored to partner with SkyLine to provide 21st Century technology tools for our students and teachers,” said Dr. Travis Reeves, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools. “We appreciate SkyLine taking an active interest in public education and supporting our community schools. The technology tools that we purchase with the grant money will enhance our students’ educational experience with Ashe County Schools and help them to be college/career ready when they graduate.”

Prior to this year’s award, Ashe County Schools has received $92,500 in grant funds, which included the placement of multiple SMART Board systems, document cameras and student response systems in the three elementary schools, middle school and high school. SkyLine also coordinated teacher training sessions with SMART-certified trainers at its corporate office location through the equipment distributor, Smarter Systems, and SMART Technologies.

“From the beginning, we have tried to make the program as seamless as possible,” said SkyLine Public Relations Administrator Karen Powell. “From the application process, to equipment installation and coordination of training sessions for teachers, we wanted this grant program to make a positive and lasting impact on our schools.”

Systemwide and to date, SkyLine has provided $330,000 in technology grants to area schools.

Based in West Jefferson, SkyLine Membership Corporation is a member-owned cooperative which provides a variety of telecommunications services to customers in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Johnson County in east Tennessee. Along with its current focus of building a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network, SkyLine is committed to enhancing the quality of life across the region through various charitable, educational and economic development programs. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyBest Communications, offers de-regulated products and services, including local calling services, business systems and networking solutions, broadband Internet services, long-distance, security systems and digital TV service.