Foundation Awards $29k Grant to Viking Television Network

In its most significant grant to date, the Education Foundation of South Brunswick Township, Inc., agreed to fund a major equipment upgrade for the District’s television station, Viking Television Network (VTN). The first phase of the upgrade will cost $28,995, based on a formal estimate received from Varto Fine Arts Tech, Inc., of East Rutherford, NJ. VTN serves all schools in the District. 

VTN also is being considered as a site for community broadcasts. It has been growing in its ability to feature K-12 programming. VTN broadcasts on Verizon FiOS, Comcast Cable and streams on the internet. The existing equipment has become antiquated over time. The move to a virtual studio, using TriCaster 450 Extreme, would replace all components, streamline the broadcast system, and provide students with a state-of-the-art broadcast environment. 

The second phase would include replacing all of the cameras and related equipment. The Foundation will consider funding that replacement for the 2013/2014 school year. 

In its two active years, the Foundation has awarded more than $12,000 in faculty grants and $5,000 in scholarships to SBHS graduating seniors. It expects to award another $5,000 in scholarships this spring and additional faculty grants in the fall. 

. It will fund programs that benefit South Brunswick public school students. The Foundation looks to foster educational opportunities, creativity, and achievement in the South Brunswick Public Schools by providing funding for grants of student programs, innovative professional development opportunities for staff and student scholarships by generating corporate and private financial support and encouraging volunteer time. 

--Education Foundation of South Brunswick Township