Old Rochester schools will be the recipients of $60,000 to increase technology offerings as part of the state’s Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grant.

The schools are among 47 across the state that will benefit from the $5 million grant.

“This is the first wave of five million dollars that were earmarked by Gov. Patrick. I’m really glad that our schools were part of that,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos.

Sippican School, Center School, Old Hammondtown School and Old Rochester Regional High School will each receive $10,000 while Rochester Memorial School will receive $20,000.

The funds constitute 30 to 70 percent of a district's projected technology costs and require the schools’ budgets to match a percentage of funds towards technology. RMS, designated as a rural district, must spend $20,000 on technology. The other schools must each budget $33,000 for technology, which Superintendent Doug White said is no problem.

“When we look at our budget around technology, what we spend on technology is far greater than that,” he said.

The funds from the state must be earmarked for infrastructure, such as increasing broadband access, while the local funds can be used for devices.

"I think it’s really going to move us forward," said Frangos.