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State Board to consider contract for 'Strong Families, Strong Students' program

The Idaho State Board of Education will hold a virtual special board meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) to consider a contract with ClassWallet a Florida-based financial technology company, to administer Idaho's 'Strong Families, Strong Students' program.

The meeting will be carried via livestream on the State Board of Education's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/idsbo.

The public can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 820-7829; Public Participation Code 8461895.

The Strong Families, Strong Students program empowers eligible families to securely access Idaho Coronavirus Relief funds that can be used for their children's educational purposes. Eligible purchases include computer hardware, software, and other devices including adaptive learning technology, internet connectivity, instructional materials, and fees for courses, tutoring services, educational services and therapies, and licensed daycare during work hours.

Governor Brad Little's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee has allocated $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funds for the program.

The proposed contract, which is still being finalized, establishes a $515,000 base contract amount, which includes a $250,000 implementation fee to be paid to ClassWallet along with a minimum amount for transactional costs.

Families will be able to apply for the grant through the Board's Strong Families, Strong Students website; and if approved, shop for items and services using their award provided through the ClassWallet enclosed marketplace.

Each family will be eligible for $1,500 per school age student, up to a maximum award of $3,500 per family. ClassWallet provides an online marketplace for a similar program with State of Oklahoma and other states.

If the Board approves the contract, the target date for launching the Strong Families Strong Students website is Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The agenda for Monday's special Board meeting is posted on the State Board of Education website: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/event/special-board-meeting-boise-23/.

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