Committee sends technology policy allowing limited off‑site hotspots to full board

The New Hanover County Schools policy committee voted to forward a revision to technology policy 3225 clarifying how district‑issued Wi‑Fi hotspots and MiFi devices may be used off school property.

In committee discussion staff said the new section permits school system Wi‑Fi hotspots, mobile MiFi units and similar devices to be checked out and used off campus only by students and staff who need them for activities integral and immediate to instruction. The committee’s motion to forward the draft to the full board passed 3-0.

Board members asked whether the provision would be interpreted to cover public Wi‑Fi at stadiums or auditorium venues; staff responded the policy as drafted covers district‑issued hotspots and does not create open public Wi‑Fi at district facilities. Staff noted that E‑Rate funding rules limit subsidized connectivity to instructional uses, so district hotspots funded through E‑Rate must be used primarily for instruction and cannot be opened for unrestricted public use.

Committee members also clarified the policy is intended to enable checked‑out devices for students without home internet access and to support device use on buses or at home when necessary; it is not intended to create a general public Wi‑Fi service at school events. The item was forwarded to the full board for consideration and final wording.