A new partnership between the Warren County R-III School District and wireless service provider T-Mobile could potentially eliminate barriers for students who do not have internet access outside of the school buildings.

The T-Mobile 10 Million Project seeks to equip students across the country with hot spot devices that provide remote internet access. R-III School Board members discussed and approved participating in the program during their monthly meeting on Dec. 10, in anticipation of enhancing the at-home and virtual learning model.

“We’re happy to get this approved, and we’re still trying to determine how to roll out the program within the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith.

R-III expects to receive around 145 hot spots for students who qualify for free-and-reduced lunch and do not have internet access. 

“We have identified some people who’ve informed us they have internet issues, and we can help them out,” said Klinginsmith. “That free-and-reduced population would be ideal demographic this would help out.”

The district is leasing the hot spot devices and will be responsible for covering costs in the case of loss or damage. Students will be able to check out the hot spots for use on homework or projects, with certain conditions.

While the hot spots could benefit the district beyond the disruptions of COVID-19, they may help bridge a gap in the interim for a particular group of students.

“What we’ve got are some kids who’ve chosen to come to school in person, but due to close contact in school they’ve got to be quarantined,” said Klinginsmith. “They’ve come to school because don’t have internet access at home, so once they are quarantined, they do not have access to the necessary resources.”

He notes that being able to check out the hot spots will provide continuity of learning, even when forced into a quarantine situation. However, it’s possible that there might not be enough devices to equip the population in need.

“145 hot spots isn’t a lot when you consider our enrollment of around 3,000 students,” said Klinginsmith.

The district plans to roll out the devices upon their arrival, but a delivery date is not currently known.

“There’s definitely been a delay on getting some electronics this year,” said Klinginsmith. “In the meantime, we still have to determine some specifics as it relates to the check-out process, where the devices will be stored and what kind of insurance we will carry on them.”