That doesn't mean the state has been left behind in the technology race. Many districts have invested heavily in computer networks, hardware, and software, using general budget funds or bond issues. And it uses its general fund to replace computer hardware on an ongoing basis, says Steve Cowdrey, the district's director of educational technology and media. There are some federal grant monies available through the state. But in a district such as ours, applying for those grants is difficult because of our socioeconomic status.
Cherry Creek is one of the state's wealthier districts.
That doesn't include additional funding given to schools for discretionary spending on technology, nor does it include districtwide maintenance and general information technology expenses. Cherry Creek actively participates in the Technology Leadership Forum, a loose consortium of districts that meets regularly to discuss technology, pool resources, and sometimes bid jointly on contracts for equipment or services. The forum is open to all 76 districts in the state, although Cowdrey says it is dominated by districts in the Denver metropolitan area and in the Front Range, the area east of the Rocky Mountains. Meanwhile, the state is doing something about improving Internet access and other telecommunications services for communities and schools in rural areas. By becoming an anchor tenant, a local government would add an incentive to telecommunications companies to wire the area and seek business and consumer customers.