Video Courtesy USD 489 News

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

It’s full speed ahead for USD 489 students and teachers – internet speed anyway – as they have been bumped from 200Mbps to 500Mbps by Eagle Communications to allow the district to evaluate how a higher speed would be utilized for the rest of the school year.

The Board of Education was given that information at Monday’s board meeting by Scott Summers, director of technology.

The board had been ready to vote on increasing the speed to 400Mbps during the meeting, but Summers recommended the board take no action until after the end of the year to evaluate usage. Early results have shown the 400Mbps would cover district usage, he said.

Last week, Summers added, all five days went over the current 200Mbps plan and went over 300Mbps for two.

“I really appreciate Eagle doing that,” said Sarah Rankin, board member.

After hearing the report, the board followed Summers’ recommendation and took no action on the item.

The board did, however, vote on fees for next year.

In a 4-2 vote, the board approved the fee structure recommended by the administration.

Those fees remain the same as this year, with an exception of a $0.10 lunch increase and a new Hays Middle School technology fee.

That fee would be used to cover damages on district issued technology if the board approves students the option to take tablets home at the end of the school day.

“We won’t charge it obviously if they don’t,” said Dean Katt, superintendent.

The fee schedule can be found here.