Representatives of NexTier Bank in Butler contributed $15,000 to the scholastic foundation at Karns City Area School District on Tuesday to maintain and improve technology for students.

The funds will aid the purchase of 60 updated Google Chromebooks for student use.

Brenda Knoll, principal at Karns City Area High School and president of the district scholastic foundation, said NexTier has contributed to school initiatives in the past.

“This is another way to help provide the best education possible to our kids,” she said. “NexTier’s been valuable in getting the STEM classes up and running ... in a small district, we’re always looking to add to our resources.”

According to Evan McGarvey, director of business affairs for the district, Karns City provides Chromebooks to all 1,325 students. The donation from NexTier will be used to replace outdated or broken models.

“The district put forth the effort to go one-to-one districtwide so that every student has access to a Chromebook,” he said. “What we’re looking at now is to life cycle the technology and replenish to new devices.”

Knoll said the new additions will ultimately benefit students in and out of the classroom.

“We use Google classroom to post and accept work, and it enhances what we’re able to do with the kids,” she said. “Regardless of what job they do, they’ll probably use technology in some way. We thought it valuable for all students to know how to use it.”

NexTier Bank donated the funds through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, McGarvey said. The program is meant to inspire businesses to donate to innovative education organizations and often requires funds to be used for STEM related items, which include technology.

“We have a good relationship with them; this is just another way they’ve given back to us,” McGarvey said of NexTier.

Donations to the Karns City Scholastic Foundation serve the district community from teachers to students.

“The foundation has different ways it helps folks at Karns City. We have a couple of scholarships, and they’re growing. We support our teachers; it could be through project initiatives or in the everyday classroom supplies side,” he said.

McGarvey said that the Chromebook updates are another step in the ongoing partnership between NexTier and the Karns City Scholastic Foundation.

“We’re excited to receive the donation. NexTier’s been good to us,” McGarvey said. “This will help alleviate the burden financially on the district and benefits students. It’s a great thing.”