MADISON -- Madison and Skowhegan-based school districts are among a dozen school systems and hospitals sharing $3.7 million in federal money to upgrade their communications technology.

School Administrative District 59 Superintendent Sandra MacArthur in Madison learned last week that her district will get $466,000 under a Department of Agriculture grant program.

MacArthur said she expects the new system to be installed sometime during the school year.

The new technology will allow SAD 59 schools to connect with other schools via laptop computers plugged into a telephone line. The system will replace older monitors, MacArthur said.

"It's an easier system to use," she said.

SAD 54 in Skowhegan will receive $486,400 and SAD 48 in Newport will receive $399,800 in grant funds. Maine General Medical Center in Augusta will get $211,400 and HealthReach HomeCare & Hospice in Waterville $176,600.

In most schools the money will be used to buy Web-based and video conferencing systems that can be used to communicate between facilities, thus saving money on travel. In medical settings, the funding will be used to provide options for "telemedicine," where off-site specialists are connected to patients and hospitals.

The new technology will allow SAD 59 to make better use of its resources, MacArthur said.

MacArthur said teachers and students using the computer screen will see and have conversations with people on the other end of the line.

"It's for audio and video, in real time," she said.

MacArthur said SAD 59 will partner with districts in Pittsfield, Anson, and Fort Fairfield and the University of Maine at Farmington to use the technology.

Larry Grard -- 474-9534, Ext. 343

lgrard@centralmaine.com