Today Congressman Henry Cuellar, together with Roma Independent School District officials, announced the awarding of two grants totaling more than half a  million dollars.

The money will be used to build the infrastructure needed to place internet connections in each classroom of Roma I.S.D’s two newest schools. Specifically, the new elementary school and the new middle school will each have classrooms with at least two internet-wired computers in them, with future capabilities of an additional three internet-wired computers.  Furthermore, each school will host computers labs throughout the campus, with the middle school building hosting an additional computer lab in the library for research purposes.

Congressman Cuellar says this unprecedented award will go a long way in providing students at Roma I.S.D. with the same state-of-the-art opportunities given to other students in larger cities.

“To succeed in today’s world of technological advantages, students in our part of the state all need to have equal opportunities,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “I applaud school district officials, especially Leticia Cadena, for their work in applying for this available money and placing the students of Roma ISD first in making sure they have all the resources available to ensure educational success.”

The middle school, which was granted $293,979.24, is slated to open January, 2009, and will be called Ramiro Barrera Middle School after long-time educator and once high school principal of Roma High School.

Meanwhile, the elementary school, awarded $260,083.31, will open its doors August, 2008, and will be named Roel and Celia Saenz Elementary.  Mr. Saenz spent many years at Roma I.S.D. as a math teacher and business manager for the school district, while Mrs. Saenz taught for many years and served as a librarian.  She currently serves on the Roma I.S.D. school board.

For more information on federal grants, feel free to contact the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at 1-877-780-0028.

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