The Wayland Union School District may offer wi-fi Internet access on its bus fleet this academic year.
The Board of Education Monday considered a proposal to pay $75,555, all of which will be reimbursed by a grant for this year only, and an annual stipend of $9,053 for the service.
Superintendent Tim Reeves cautioned today, “The WiFi idea for WUS buses was not approved last night. Last night it was a discussion item under new business and was just talked about. Additionally, if the WiFi item becomes something we move forward with, the total cost will be reimbursed by E-rate.”
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Theresa Fulk said, “This will allow students who don’t have high-speed Internet at home to get their homework done before and after school.”
She added that the wi-fi service can be used by parents to determine where their children’s bus is en route to home or school.
Not all school board members were entirely on board.
“My issue is that kids are going to abuse it, not use it.”
He added that school buses are noisy and not conducive to getting school work done and he is concerned about the long-range costs of the program.
Senior Ava Makowski, one of two student representatives on the board, offered her support, saying she is an athlete and has to take long bus trips to meets, so she sees the benefit of allowing her to get her homework done.
Fulk noted the wi-fi program would be available to high school and middle school students, but elementary students are not allowed to take their iPads home.
Trustee Norm Taylor noted that Allegan County is working on a program to install high-speed Internet for all residences through funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Is it possible to have only 2 students per seat? Secondly maybe have buses to and from each athletic event? Most kids have phones with internet; another waste of money but hey it is another free money grant.
OR…..wait for it….how about a pay raise for drivers?