Boone County Commission approves internet hot spots for six school districts
COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)
The Boone County Commission on Thursday approved the use of CARES Act funding to make internet hot spots available to students in all six county school districts.
Boone County Southern District Commissioner Fred Parry told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that the plan will allow children in Boone County who do not have good internet connectivity to use hot spots to help with online learning.
The six school districts are requesting about 1,400 devices at $240 a piece. Each district has offered families an option of sending their students to school buildings or learning all online as COVID-19 cases continue to pop up across the region.
Columbia Public Schools is requesting 700 hot spots, Centralia is requesting 15, Hallsville is requesting 100, Harrisburg is requesting 80, Sturgeon is requesting 50 and Southern Boone is requesting 400.
CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said for families to qualify for a hot spot at CPS they must fall under two categories.
First, they can receive a hot spot if they do not live in a coverage area served by a local internet service provider such as MediaCom, Spectrum/Charter or CentruyLink. Second, they have to be eligible for the free/reduced-price lunch program.
CPS has a flyer with all options for families who need access to low-cost internet or a hot spot. This includes programs through CPS as well as through local internet providers.
"They also have programs that are available to families, and in addition to the free WiFi that is available at all of our school buildings," she said.
CPS is working to make sure all families have access to online learning.
"We are trying to do as much as we can to create access for students short of not being an actual internet provider. The school district is not an internet provider, but we are trying to provide as many opportunities to try and create access for our students," Baumstark said.
If the Boone County Commission approves hot spots Thursday, districts will be allowed to begin purchasing equipment.
Check back for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.
