Lake Worth Beach Electric Utility in conjunction with the Palm Beach County School District have collaborated to provide Wi-Fi service to students and their families who might not otherwise be able to afford the requisite level of connectivity for learning from home. The project will provide for the attachment of 225 WiFi radios to City’s Electric Utility Poles with an estimated in like kind value of $292,500 annually, based on $1300 year per pole attachment.
The placement of the radios will be identified with a focus based on density of students on free/reduced lunch and parent survey results (indicating no internet access at home). Additionally, Wi-Fi radios will be installed on School District buildings and provide electricity for the radios.
This project was important prior to COVID but has become vital due to the high number of local children who are now learning from home. The project will ensure that no child falls behind due to a lack of internet access.