Othello School District to use buses as Wi-Fi hot spots

OTHELLO — The Othello School District will be using some of its buses to provide internet access for families lacking reliable connections. The Wi-Fi-equipped buses will be parked in designated locations around the district at specific times of the day to provide a connection.

The 2020-21 school year will be starting online due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Director of Communications Ed Petersen said the Wi-Fi connections will accommodate up to 40 students at any one time. Students will have to be within 120 feet of the bus to connect.

The Wi-Fi connections will be available from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on school days at Washington Square Apartments, 1065 South Fourth Ave.; the Lions Park Apartments, Othello Manor, 814 South Taylor Road; the intersection of Juniper, Spruce and Third streets, the June Road and Andes Road area and the Saddle Road and Panama area.

Wi-Fi will be available via the school bus from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Guadalupe Haven Apartments (the Gemstone area), the Sportsman Trailer Court, in the area of the Othello Housing Authority office, Eagle Apartments, the Yellow Camp, the Radar Trailer Court and Golden Plains.

Petersen said district officials will monitor usage and adjust times and locations as necessary.