HARTFORD- State Department of Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell announced Friday, January 29, the State Bond Commission has approved $10.9 million in technology grants to help Connecticut school districts put more computers in classrooms and increase internet bandwidth in schools across Connecticut.

Newtown will receive $103,700, according to a release.

The investment is part of the state's broad efforts to strengthen computer and technology resources as schools continue to implement Connecticut Core Standards and administer computer-adaptive tests aligned to these standards. The grants will go to 171 school districts across the state.

"If we want our students to thrive in school and have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the high-tech world they will enter after high school and college, we have to teach them technology skills," Commissioner Wentzell said. "This investment will put more computers in the classroom and empower more students to have the skills they need to be successful global citizens."

This round follows $24 million in technology grants distributed in July 2013 to 128 applicants from 126 cities and towns across Connecticut. The technology grants have helped hundreds of schools across Connecticut boost their technology resources and helped facilitate the transition to new college and career readiness standards of Connecticut Core.

"This was a grant of perseverance as the local district needed to reapply and readjust numerous times because of federal and state issues." Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said on Tuesday, February 2. "A long and loud thank you to our Technology Director Carmella Amodeo for bringing this across the finish line."

This story was updated on February 2 to reflect Dr Erardi's comments.