ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Allentown School Board on Thursday accepted nearly $2.67 million in federal E-Rate funding for the second phase of the district’s multiyear information technology infrastructure modernization project.
The fiscal year 2026 project costs about $3.52 million, with $2.67 million covered by federal E-Rate funding and the district responsible for about $849,121.
The project will allow the district to deploy enterprise Wi-Fi 7 technology, expand the district’s wide-area network bandwidth to 80 gigabits per second and install next-generation firewalls, according to board documents.
District officials said the improvements will provide faster and more reliable connectivity for approximately 16,500 students across 31 schools and facilities while supporting digital learning, online testing and simultaneous media streaming. The improvements are also expected to strengthen protection of student data and district networks.
The infrastructure project comes as the district expands its participation in Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, a program that provides students with internet-connected devices and schools with technology coaches and professional development for teachers.
William Allen and Dieruff high schools joined the program for the 2026-27 school year following a pilot last school year at the district’s four middle schools and Bridgeview Academy. With the expansion, all Allentown secondary schools now participate in the program, Superintendent Carol Birks said.
The expansion will keep students connected to learning both inside and outside the classroom while giving teachers additional resources for instruction.
A total of 4,800 devices with data plans are being provided as part of the expansion. The district celebrated the program’s expansion Sept. 16 at Dieruff, where students received devices.
Board President Andrene Brown-Nowell said she was excited to see the program launch at the district’s high schools and pointed to the technology and additional support now available to students and staff.
“I’m very happy in the direction that we are going as a board, as a school district, and I hope that we just continue on that momentum,” Brown-Nowell said.
Birks said she was “really thrilled” that the expansion means all of the district’s secondary schools are now Verizon Innovative Learning Schools.
Birks said students receive internet-connected devices through the program, while participating schools receive professional development and other support for staff. She said each new cohort of students will receive a device as the program continues.
Fiber optic deal
In a related technology measure, the board approved renewing an agreement with Service Electric Cable TV and Communications for maintenance and support of the district’s fiber optic network for the 2026-27 school year.
The agreement covers maintenance, pole rental fees and technical support for the district-owned, citywide redundant fiber optic network connecting schools and facilities. It also provides 24-hour support for accidental line cuts and other emergency disruptions.
Board documents list the annual maintenance agreement at $25,000, with the district’s cost not to exceed $28,000. The expense will be paid from the district’s general fund and is included in the current budget.