FWISD board votes to buy thousands of computers, hot spots for students learning at home
The Fort Worth school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to buy thousands of computers in an emergency purchase for elementary school students who need devices and internet access for at-home learning.
The district plans to purchase 3,160 Chromebooks for nearly $1.2 million and spend another $1.3 million on 6,000 hot spots with 3G mobile plans and access to the district’s learning network.
Texas schools are closed until at least May 4 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Access to a device is critical for support of the district’s Learning at Home initiative during the mandated state and county COVID-19 school closure,” FWISD Chief Academy officer Jerry Moore said in a statement.
The devices will be transitioned to the 1-to-1 device implementation for fifth-graders once school reopens, the district said.
Some of the $2.5 million expenditure will be offset by private individuals and community organizations.
Districts across the area are ensuring that students have what they need for distance learning.
The Arlington ISD, which has 60,000 students, has purchased 21,000 devices, and the Keller school district has issued more than 8,000 Chromebooks and 150 hot spots. An order of 800 hot spots is coming.
The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district has distributed more than 2,000 iPads and Windows-based laptops, and has ordered 10,000 more laptops for temporary 1-to-1 model for secondary students. Hot spots were also purchased and are being distributed.
Multiple districts, including Eagle Mountain and Grapevine-Colleyville, have extended the range of wireless networks at some campuses so that the internet can be accessed from school parking lots.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 10:54 AM.
