The Greene County School District is continuing to plan for remote learning possibilities.

Superintendent Tim Christensen says about 60 students have decided to do remote learning to begin the year, which is just under five-percent of the total student population. These students chose remote learning either due to preexisting health conditions for themselves or those in their household, along with other COVID-19 safety concerns. 

Christensen explains how the District is handling internet access for those remote learners.

“For people who chose remote learning right now, we’re not in a position that we have to provide internet access for them. We’re looking at internet access (for everyone) if we have to shut down an entire building or shut down the entire district. Then we’re in a position where we have to provide internet access because then it is required.”

Christensen says they will partner with the community centers across the District that will have two associates to supervise and transport students to and from the facilities to access internet. He talks about providing services to rural students.

“We’re working to identify people in rural Greene County that don’t have internet access that we have some WiFi hotspots that we would provide to them to use during those times.”

The School Board recently approved a $24,000 CDW grant purchase for 25 hotspot connections. Christensen adds the District has enough electronic devices for every student in case they move to 100% remote learning.