Association seeks Wi-Fi list to assist One-to-One program

RED OAK — The Chamber and Industry association is compiling a list of locations in Red Oak with free Wi-Fi access to assist the school district in their One-to-One laptop initiative program.

Executive Director of the Association, Darrel Steven Carlyle said Red Oak Superintendent Terry Schmidt came before the Association in August to form a partnership in an effort to provide students places to access the Internet on their new laptops after school hours.  

“This is a way to help get the community behind the project and also connecting the businesses and students,” Carlyle said.

To alleviate a lack of access outside of school, some students and parents have been sitting outside of the schools on the weekends and after school hours because they are able to connect to the wireless network.

“We are aware of this but have not taken a position,” Schmidt said about laptops being used outdoors of the schools. “There haven’t been any problems and we want our kids to get as much access as possible.”

Schmidt added he hopes this list will help provide students and parents more options for Internet usage in Red Oak. Also, he said it will likely act as an assessment of how well the program is making the Internet available to students, and they might consider finding ways to make the school building more available to students after school hours for the purpose of accessing Wi-Fi, especially when the weather gets bad and students are unable to sit outside. 

To report a business with unsecure Wi-Fi, contact the Association at 623-4821.