WEST LAFAYETTE — Wabash Heartland Innovation Network has allocated $2 million to the school corporations in the ten-county WHIN region to provide broadband access for students who do not have adequate access to the internet for schoolwork.
The districts include Crawfordsville, North Montgomery and South Montgomery schools.
The allocation is the first of a three-year, six-million-dollar project to improve student connectivity in the region. North Central Health Services is a partner in the initiative.
“WHIN is committed to helping the Wabash Heartland become the most connected rural region in the state,” said WHIN CEO Johnny Park. “Even when students are in class in person, they need online access outside of school for homework, projects, and school-related activities.”
“Internet availability and connectivity are challenges that have long plagued rural school corporations and are issues that were magnified by the need for virtual learning opportunities during the pandemic,” says Dr. Shawn Greiner, superintendent of South Montgomery Community School Corp. “We are grateful for this grant opportunity to help our students thrive and succeed, regardless of where they live.”
Schools may use their allocations to provide plans to students that are compatible with their school-issued Chromebooks and iPads. In the short run, that can include personal hotspots. The funding is also available for teachers who do not have adequate access to prepare and conduct lessons from home.
In Montgomery County, the money will be spent on fees for AT&T data plans, which were provided to families without internet access when schools switched to virtual learning last year. The funds will also be spent on individual “MiFi” devices, which can be used for weather-related e-learning days, homework and remediation programs.
“All students and teachers should be able to stream videos and participate in video conferencing,” Greg Jarman, WHIN’s vice president of broadband partnerships, said. “In or out of a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual platforms are here to stay.
WHIN’s long term broadband strategy includes helping school corporations find more permanent, network-based solutions.
“We look forward to working with the region’s school corporations to understand their needs,” Jarman said. “We can help connect them with the latest, most innovative broadband technology so that students have the safe, filtered access they need.”
Pat Corey, WHIN’s vice president of engagement, said that school corporations were very responsive to the initiative.
“We know there are at least 1,000 students that WHIN will be able to help immediately,” says Corey. “The funds can continue data plans for students on grants that are expiring and can help students who either have no access presently or whose access does not support video streaming.”
The funds can also be used for students who have an economic need. “We know households have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Corey.
The funds will be administered by school corporations, who will identify participating students and teachers.
“Every school corporation is different,” says Corey. “Some have a lot of need; others have been able to find workarounds. We want to meet them where they are, on the timetable that works for them.
For more information about WHIN’s e-Learning initiative, visit whin.org/e-learning/
