State Boosts Royal’s Computer Program

Royal High School officials hope to have a computer lab, two computers in every classroom and a new video production lab by next year.

A $735,000 grant from the state Department of Education will help pay for 40 computer lab stations and more computer training for teachers.

The money, which begins flowing in July, is part of the state’s Digital High School program that randomly selects schools for technology education funding.

Officials at Simi Valley and Santa Susana high schools also are hoping for funds. Administrators recently revised a joint application to Sacramento seeking $967,500 for the two schools.

Some of Royal’s money will pay for installing fiber-optic cables around the school to hook up all computers to the Internet. About one-third of the money must go toward teacher instruction.

In March, the Simi Valley Unified School District opened a computer lab for teacher instruction at its district offices.

Royal High leaders also want to build a music lab on the campus. The school district must match the amount that the state will provide to the three high schools for technology education. That money has already been set aside by district officials.