Several technology opportunities were discussed during last night’s school board Programs and Services committee meeting. One such opportunity would help students with financial needs gain broadband Internet access.

“The world has gone digital,” Dr. Robert Milrod, Upper Moreland School District superintendent, said, addressing the board.

Milrod said that the concern may be ever-shrinking, but there are low-income families who don’t have broadband Internet access.

In light of this, Milrod suggested the school district promote the new Internet Essentials program.

According to the Internet Essentials’ website, the program is a Comcast initiative offering students and families the opportunity to have broadband Internet access in their homes at the reduced rate of $9.95 a month.

According to the site, families are eligible if at least one child receives free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program.    

In addition to the reduced Internet service, the Internet Essentials program also provides the opportunity for families to purchase a computer at the initial program enrollment for $149.99, as well as free Internet training.

According to Milrod, in years past, 11 percent of the student population received either free or reduced lunches, while today, over 20 percent of the student population receives such services. Although reduced lunch students are not eligible for the program, Milrod estimates that 5 percent of the reduced or free lunch student population would be eligible.

Milrod said that district staff and administrators will soon place poster advertisements and spread the news around each of the school buildings, as well as redesign the virtual backpack to incorporate this information.

“This is an opportunity for our students to get a lot of needed services,” Milrod said.