Johnston, Tyrell Co Schools To Share $1.3M Federal Telehealth Grant

USDA Rural Development announced that it is investing $1.3 million in grants to Johnston County and Tyrrell County Public Schools at a press conference on Thursday, June 2. Photographed (from left) are Tyrrell County Schools Director of Instructional Technology Audrey Curles,  Johnston County Public Schools Director of Research and Grant Development Dr. Cherry Johnson, Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight, Johnston County Board of Education member Kay Carroll, Johnston County Board of Education member Lyn Andrews, Johnston County Board of Education Chairman Todd Sutton, and Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy.

SMITHFIELD – USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight was at the Johnston County Public Schools Central Office in Smithfield on Thursday, June 2 to announce a two-county telehealth grant. Rural Development is investing $1.3 million in grants to Johnston County and Tyrell County Schools.

“Rural Development is proud of our ongoing relationship with Johnston County and the surrounding school districts,” said Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to the quality education of rural America. USDA is steadfast to the continued success of Johnston County Schools with almost $2 million in distance learning telemedicine grants invested here since 2019.”

USDA Rural Development announced that it is investing $1.3 million in grants to Johnston County and Tyrrell County Public Schools at a press conference on Thursday, June 2. Photographed (from left) are Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight, Johnston County Board of Education Chairman Todd Sutton, and Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy.

Johnston and Tyrell County schools will use $982,000 to purchase telecommunications equipment to implement instructor professional development; helping educators respond more effectively to students and families in crisis, as well as provide a means for students to attend virtual support, counseling, and therapy sessions.

The project will benefit an estimated 14,000 public school students in the two counties.

Johnston County Schools will use $382,000 to purchase telehealth video equipment to convert nursing stations into an on-site testing locations at Selma Elementary, Selma Middle, Benson Elementary and Benson Middle School.

The project includes staffing a full-time nurse to administer vaccinations, and space to quarantine if needed. The equipment will aid in stopping the spread-transmission of COVID-19.

Our partnership with the USDA has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into students right here in Johnston County,” said Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy. “These relationships and grant opportunities are a vital piece of our school system, and we’re extremely grateful for the partnership that we have with the USDA.”

12 COMMENTS

  1. This grant money always has strings attached. Why can’t we do all this ourselves with state and local funding? The federal involvement is destroying our sovereignty.

  2. You lost me at “ The Biden-Harris administration is committed to the quality education of rural America.” Indoctrination, not education. Sorry, waste of money.

  3. Telehealthvideo euip? You mean JCPS don’t have computers? Give me a break. No doubt this will go to paying for an un-needed salary for a “ director for telehealth” position.

  4. It is not the school systems job to provide telehealth services, vaccinations and mental health counseling. Where is the line drawn between teachers making recommendations for mental stuff and parents are not notified ahead of time. How much do you want to bet there will be social work “classes” held through these programs that push SEL? Allowing vaccinations at the school crosses the line as well especially when the Covid vax is not mandatory and highly controversial. What happens if a child is given the vax without parental consent and has a reaction? Who’s responsible? Will the taxpayers than have to foot the bill due to lawsuits, medical care, etc?
    For this that don’t know the age of consent for vaccinations in NC is 11!!! So your 5th grader can be bribed into any vaccine the school chooses and you have no control.

    Once again Covid is being used to push more government into our lives. And don’t forget Biden is now withholding lunch funding from schools that don’t have mixed gender bathrooms.

  5. Seems to me people complain when their area doesn’t receive money, and complain when their area does receive money.

  6. This is just more government pushing social justice into our schools. Give them an inch into your family business and I will show you a family destroyed or so dependent they never dig out. Taxpayer dollars being used to push an agenda. Parents better wake up.

  7. Hmmm , the school system taking over the roll of a decent parent? It’s almost as if the school system wants to take over raising their child. Why would they want to do that?

  8. Here we go. People need to wake up. SOCIALISM. This is the beginning of the school board having access to our childrens medical records and we will no longer have any say in their healthcare. They are sneakily doing this through our education system. Watch out there is more to come.

  9. This is part time of the so called reset and this is not a good thing. Have you heard of ESG?

  10. Oh and they will be able to give your child any vaccine or meds they want and you will not be able to say a thing.

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