This grant funded Jones County Public Schools to support the technology infrastructure needed for a new consolidated school that replaced outdated elementary, middle, and high schools. The County lacked the tax base and revenues to independently fund and equip the new school. The General Assembly had appropriated state funds to assist with the project, but the County needed additional funding to ensure the project had adequate technology infrastructure. At the time of application, Jones County had the second lowest total tax base in the State. Golden LEAF funds were used to upfit the new K-12 facility with technology to meet 21st-century teaching and learning requirements. The school district and county expected long-term operational cost savings from consolidation of separate facilities into one campus. New school construction had been shown to produce positive financial outcomes for communities and positive educational outcomes for students.
