All Bristol Warren Classrooms Turning Into 'Hotspots'

Every classroom and many other common spaces in the Bristol Warren schools, such as cafeterias and gymnasiums, will be wireless accessible by the start of the next school year in September.

Paul Morris, technology director for the Bristol Warren Regional School District, briefed the School Committee on the “wireless classroom initiative” at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 14.

Morris said that only about one-quarter of the classrooms have WIFI coverage right now. But that will change with the almost $400,000 grant award coming from the state education department. 

“We are one of only five districts in Rhode Island to be at this point,” Morris said.

The grant money is part of a $20 million technology infrastructure capital bond approved by voters in the most recent general election.

“We appreciate that RIDE recognizes schools need help to bring twenty-first century technology on board,” said School Committee member Marjorie McBride. 

“The bottom line cost for the district is zero,” said School Committee Chairman Paul Silva.

The School Committee awarded the bid for the work to Carousel Industries, one of three vendors approved for the wireless classroom initiative by the education department (RIDE).

The work in the school will be done in the “off hours,” said Morris. “Carousel is offering a turnkey solution.”

The classroom initiative will offer equal access to everyone, an opportunity for digital learning in all classrooms, and provide a strong infrastructure to support the district’s one-to-one laptop initiative, Morris said.