Press Release

 $151,300 Grant from Novell - 1488 copies of SUSE Linux were donated to Westbrook ISD for distribution to area High Schools, Colleges and Universities for students and staff. 

Westbrook ISD in collaboration with West Texas Telecommunications Consortium (based out of the Education Service Center Region 14) and West Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium (based out of Texas State Technical College) will create a distribution program for students and staff interested in exploring the SUSE Linux product.

One of our goals is to provide the opportunity for as many students as possible to experience Linux in the most in-depth manner possible. We believe that by having a full working copy students will be encouraged and motivated to explore Linux at home and school, deepening their experiences while relieving some of the stress students experience when using school equipment. This will also allow students who need additional time outside the normal school hours to pursue their studies. 

We also plan to reserve some of the copies for distance learning to and between the smaller high schools. This will allow students in those schools to take a networking class using Linux without additional expense to the student or school. We will also be able to offer the software to students who are interested in Linux, but do not have the courses available or the time in their schedule to take a regular class. 

Schools interested in participating can contact one the following: 

Dirk D Dykstra, Director of Technology
Westbrook Independent School District
PO Box 99, Westbrook, TX 79565
HTUDirk.Dykstra@westbrookisd.comUTH

Steve Simoneau, Director of West Texas Telecommunications Consortium
Education Service Center Region 14
1850 Highway 351, Abilene, TX 79601
HTUssim@esc14.netUTH

Michael Zemcik, Representative for West Central Texas Tech Prep
Texas State Technical College Sweetwater
300 College Drive, Sweetwater, TX 79556
HTUmichael.zemcik@abilene.tstc.eduUTH

Educational Organizations already involved include:

Rotan ISD, Corsicana ISD, Education Service Center Region 18, Crane ISD, Culberson County-Allamoore ISD, Colorado ISD, Big Spring ISD and more.