![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.9479166666666667in"
height="1.0798611111111112in"}**NEWS RELEASE**

United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development

World Wide Web:
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolyn Lawrence

October 18, 2004 (802) 828-6002

**SENATOR SUNUNU AND USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR HILDA LEGG
ANNOUNCE THE AWARD OF A \$499,965 DISTANCE LEARNING GRANT TO THE
SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER**

**DISTANCE LEARNING IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE**

**FOCUS OF GRANT TO EXPAND VIDEOCONFERENCING CAPABILITIES**

(BEDFORD, October 18, 2004) ---Senator John Sununu joined USDA Rural
Development Administrator Hilda Legg and other dignitaries to announce
the award of a USDA Rural Development \$499,965 Rural Utilities Service
Distance Learning Grant to Southeastern Regional Education Service
Center (SERESC) in Bedford, NH. The Federal grant will be used to expand
distance learning capabilities in the Granite State. Nearly 12,000 of
New Hampshire's rural citizens and students will benefit from this
grant.

"The RUS Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program is specifically
designed to meet the educational and health care needs of rural America
through the use of advanced telecommunications technologies," said
Administrator Legg. "The "Unite New Hampshire" project addresses a
critical need for providing professional development and continuing
education for teachers, as well as expanded educational, vocational and
technical opportunities for students and community members."

SERESC is an educational collaborative that services school districts
throughout New Hampshire. "Our vision is to move content, not people,"
explains Dr. Antonio Paradis, SERESC's Executive Director. "This grant,
combined with the 2003 RUS Grant awarded to the Timberlane School
District and other initiatives we continue to pursue, are helping us
realize that vision. Collaboration is the key."

The project pairs four hub sites that have unique competencies,
educational content and resources --- SERESC, New Hampshire Public
Television, Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center and School and
Goffstown High School --- with the Newport and Milton rural school
districts. Through distance learning, the hubs will provide a broad
range of classroom resources, professional development, advanced class
offerings, and continuing education opportunities.

"The award of these resources to the Southeastern Regional Educational
Service by the USDA's Office of Rural Development underscores their
commitment to the use of valuable educational technology," said Senator
John E. Sununu. "Learning opportunities for thousands of students
throughout the state will be enhanced by this Distance Learning Grant." 

The RUS funding will enable eight sites to be equipped with
state-of-the-art Tandberg videoconferencing systems installed and
maintained by ViewCommunications. These units provide user-friendly
distance learning capabilities to teachers, students and community
members. The participating schools will have rooms specifically
designated for the new equipment. The existing SERESC network
infrastructure will be utilized to expand the benefits of this project.

"Newport looks forward to the numerous opportunities that will be
offered by accessing content from SERESC, New Hampshire Public
Television, Crotched Mountain and Goffstown High School for distance
learning," said William J. Mealey, Superintendent of Schools for SAU
#43. "This grant will bring us additional course content such as
advanced placement classes, dual credit college and vocational classes,
as well as professional development and enhanced training as required
under the No Child Left Behind Act."

"Through the use of distance learning, students at Nute Middle/High
School, Milton Elementary School and the community will have the
opportunity to take a wider variety of courses and gain exposure to a
greater array of content," noted William P. Lander, Superintendent of
SAU #64 (Milton and Wakefield).

In 1999, Crotched Mountain began using interactive videoconferencing to
extend clinical expertise to educators and health professionals in
distant and isolated communities. "This grant will result in increased
opportunities for community-based professionals and additional supports
for students with special needs. By linking classrooms together we will
be able to share curriculum, participate in national events, and provide
valuable learning and social opportunities for children of all
abilities," said Donald L. Shumway, President of Crotched Mountain
Rehabilitation Center and School.

The Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center and School serves children
with complex medical requirements whose needs cannot be met at home or
by professionals in their local school or community.

NHPTV is looking forward to supporting the "Unite New Hampshire" project
with rich media content and services," explained Kelly Clark, Director
of Educational Services. "NHPTV is a leader in education and community
outreach, providing instructional services for over 206,000 students
from kindergarten through high school. For more information about NHPTV
programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit
[www.nhptv.org]{.underline}.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. USDA Rural Development provides equity and
technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership,
business development, and critical community and technology
infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

To learn more about the Southeastern Regional Education Service Center,
visit their web site at [http://www.seresc.net](http://www.seresc.net/)
.

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