By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Nex-Tech announced Tuesday it will offer assistance for low-income families with children who do not have internet service.
"In response to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on area schools and understanding that internet connectivity is critically important to the success of students, Nex-Tech is announcing its plan to extend the Continuous Learning Initiative," Nex-Tech said in a news release.
The Continuous Learning Initiative was instituted in the spring when schools closed because of COVID-19 and went to online learning.
Schools will be asked to confirm the impact of student households that don’t currently have internet service and have opted in to at-home learning or a hybrid option. Schools will then share these addresses with Nex-Tech for verification of eligibility. Nex-Tech began providing service to eligible locations effective Monday.
Area schools have been sent additional information from Nex-Tech and will distribute to eligible families regarding the steps to sign-up for service.
Diane Quennoz, senior vice president of marketing for Vyve, Eagle Broadband's parent company, said Eagle Broadband does not have a sweeping program for low-income families. However, she said Eagle Broadband will be working with local schools to assist families who need internet service for schooling.
"We are really committed to our communities and working with our schools, and we want to help where we can," she said. "[We will be] definitely working with the schools to identify the families in need."
Dustin Schlaefli, Nex-Tech director of customer engagement, said Nex-Tech will apply for federal SPARK funds that the state of Kansas has dedicated for low-income internet service to help support this program. Applications for that funding open Wednesday.
The state has allowed both internet providers and schools to apply for the SPARK funds dedicated to expanding services for low-income families.
The state has set aside a total of $60 million in federal COVID-19 funds to help with broadband expansion in the state. Emphasis has been placed on expanding education and telemedicine services.
Of that $60 million, $10 million was set aside to support connectivity in low-income homes. The money must be spent by the end of the year.
Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson told the school board last week the district has identified 71 students who do not have internet access in their homes.
Two hundred and sixteen students have enrolled in the district's parent choice remote learning option this school year.
The Hays district as well as the Catholic schools are also preparing hybrid learning and remote learning options for all students if pandemic numbers force schools to fully or partially close again.
The Hays school district is set to start in-person classes on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Thomas More-Prep Marian and Holy Family Elementary schools in Hays are set to return to school on Monday, Aug. 24.
Nex-Tech would also like to assure its customers its network is strong and ready for increased usage, the Nex-Tech news release said.
“Our network was built to scale. We are pleased to be able to provide a program to help families in need. Nex-Tech has a great relationship with the schools in our area, and this is just another way we get involved and give back to the communities we serve,” Schlaefli said.
To learn more about Nex-Tech services and its additional measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.nex-tech.com.
For families with students that have chosen at-home learning or a hybrid option, and that do not have internet service, both Nex-Tech and Eagle urged families to contact your local school for more information.