The School District of Manatee County has converted 25 of its buses into Wi-Fi hotspots that park at community centers and churches.
Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County and her team have worked hard to provide internet to Manatee County Students, who do no't have internet at home. The School District has converted 25 of its buses (with more coming) into Wi-Fi hot-spots.
The buses park at various locations, where there is a need. Churches and community centers are just a few of the types of locations, you'll see these Wi-Fi buses.
We talked to the superintendent last week and she told us that... the Manatee School District estimates that 25 percent of students in Manatee County do not have reliable internet service or a reliable device, which would allow them to complete online distance learning assignments, from home. Since March, the School District of Manatee County, has distributed approximately 10,000 laptops and 400 internet hot-spot devices to students.
Superintendent Saunders told us that Scott Hansen, the school district’s chief technology officer, came up with the idea to outfit buses with Wi-Fi and then partnering with churches and other organizations that are providing a safe and comfortable location. The Superintendent and her entire team are very appreciative and grateful to all the bus drivers who working, leaving their homes to help kids during this pandemic
Learn more about this wonderful program here: https://www.manateeschools.net/eLearning