SAUK RAPIDS -- Students at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School will have access to laptops and tablets next school year. It's part of the school board's strategic plan to increase digital literacy.

The board is authorized to spend up to $400,000 on the devices. Previously the district used that money to pay for all-day every-day kindergarten. That program is now being paid for in full by the legislature.

Superintendent Dan Bittman says there will be a small out of pocket cost for parents.

The school board hopes to phase technology devices into the hands of their middle school and elementary school students.

The district was awarded $134,000 through the Library Services and Technology Act Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The grant focuses on providing access to digital literacy for students in grades six through eight. It has a special focus on students that are living in poverty and have a limited access to technology.

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