The Grand Coulee Dam School District board approved an E-Rate project totaling some $232,000, at its meeting March 26.

Of the project total, the district will put in just over $57,000.

E-Rate funds come from both state and federal governments and are based on rates the district pays for its various services.

The project will update the district's phone system, provide new network wiring, and provide some $99,000 worth of network hardware.

Board members asked if the district had the $57,000, for its share of the project, and were told by Superintendent Dennis Carlson that the funds would be available from monies not spent during the current budget year.

Debbie Cook, who does the district's financial reports through the North Central Educational Service District, assured board members that the district, through its austere efforts, has funds that are available for the project.

Carlson told the board that the new phone system and network hardware are all transferable to the new buildings, if the district is able to put together its new building facility.

The only part of the project not transferable, Carlson stated, would be the wiring.