ALLENTOWN, PA – February 27, 2026 – During its Thursday, February 26, 2026, Regular School Board of Directors Meeting, the Allentown School District announced today it has been awarded significant federal funding through the E-Rate program and the FCC’s Cybersecurity Pilot Program. These investments, totaling more than $3.4 million in federal support, will allow the District to modernize its digital infrastructure and fortify its network against cyber threats.
The E-Rate Program, officially known as the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, provides deep discounts to help high-need school districts afford essential technology. The Allentown School District qualifies for the highest possible discount tiers, up to 90%. The program is funded by fees collected from telecommunications companies and is designed to bridge the digital divide, ensuring all students have access to high-speed learning environments.
In addition to E-Rate funding, Allentown was one of 707 participants selected nationwide for the FCC’s Cybersecurity Pilot Program. This three-year initiative provides $831,963.69 to implement advanced security measures, including endpoint protection for student devices and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive data.
The E-Rate funding and Cybersecurity funding will support six major technology initiatives and upgrades, including:
- Internet & Data Transmission
- Network Equipment (Routers, Switches/Wi-Fi)
- Power Protection/Battery Backup
- Comprehensive Cybersecurity System and Threat Detection
- Automated Security Patch Management Systems
- Network Infrastructure Management Systems
"Securing these federal funds is a major win for our students and our taxpayers," said Jose Rivera, Acting Executive Director of Information Technology. "By maximizing our E-Rate eligibility, we are able to provide our scholars with the 21st-century infrastructure they deserve while covering up to 90% of the costs through federal support rather than local tax dollars."