The Cherokee County Board of Education has agreed to participate in a statewide consortium for broadband internet service, which could bring in an additional $100,000 per year for local schools. And the board has also amended its technology plan. The consortium will be funded by Gov. Don Siegelman. Sammy Clanton, superintendent, Cherokee County Schools, discussed the consortium during a recent board meeting. "The Governor plans to propose in the budget that $9 million be set aside for schools to provide schools with the matching portion of the E-rate," said Clanton. "In Cherokee County, for example, the federal government funds our E-rate at about 69 percent. We pick up the other 31 percent. Other Gov. Siegelman's proposal, the state would re-imburse our local system for the 31 percent. This past year, it would have brought in an extra $100,000 or so for our system, so we're certainly hoping that the governor can come up with the money and we certainly want to be a part of the consortium. If the governor comes up with the 31 percent match, we can take the local money and buy more hardware for computers and technology for the classrooms. All the E-rate money is for technology.