CCSD to Deploy WiFi Enabled Buses to Assist Students in Their Studies

Press Release – See Update Below

Charleston County School District (CCSD) will be deploying 10 WiFi buses throughout Charleston County to provide additional online coverage for CCSD students working on schoolwork beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The buses will be staged at various schools weekly Monday through Friday from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm. A sign will be posted on each bus indicating the vehicle has WiFi service. Each bus will have a unique WiFi password that can be obtained from the assigned driver(s). The WiFi range is approximately 100 to 150 feet.

According to James Lynch, Interim Executive Director of Transportation, bus locations can be adjusted to accommodate needs moving forward.

“During these unprecedented times, CCSD is committed to providing resources and assistance to the CCSD community,” said Lynch.

Buses will be positioned at the following locations from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm:

• A.C. Corcoran Elementary School
• Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
• Buist Academy
• Chicora Elementary School
• EB Ellington Elementary School
• James Island Charter High School
• James Island Elementary School
• Jerry Zucker Middle School
• Laing Middle School
• Minnie Hughes Elementary School

In addition to the WiFi bus locations, the following schools have been equipped with extended outdoor wireless service throughout the course of the day every day of the week:

• Academic Magnet High School/Charleston County School of the Arts (same
  campus)
• Burke High School
• Edmund A. Burns Elementary School
• Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
• Mount Pleasant Academy
• St. James-Santee Elementary-Middle school
• St. John’s High School
• Springfield Elementary School
• Stono Park Elementary School
• Wando High School
• Wando Center for Advanced Studies

“All schools have WiFi services indoors,” said Tom Nawrocki, Executive Director of Information Technology. “All radios in each building have been adjusted to their maximum power output so that students may access the internet from the outside of the buildings.”

Both of these services are intended to be used by students to work on their school-issued devices. The hours and days of the week to these options may be extended, Nawrocki added.

“I feel that we need to do everything possible to provide internet access to all children,” said Nawrocki. “While we cannot send home devices equipped with cellular service, we do have the means to provide some access to children in need.”

For more information contact the Office of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.

UPDATE: 3/19/20

Charleston County School District’s (CCSD) Office of Student Transportation and Information Technology Department are announcing the addition of mobile WiFi bus stops at 10 more locations throughout the county.

These stops provide online coverage for CCSD students who are completing schoolwork or communicating with their teachers.

The buses will be stationed at the following locations from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays starting tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2020:

• District 1
  • Lincoln High School Campus, 714 Lincoln Road, McClellanville
• District 3
  • James Island Youth Soccer Complex, 871 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston
  • Food Lion, 1291 Folly Road, Charleston
  • Northwoods Community Park, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston
• District 4
  • Collins Park Community Center, 4155 Fellowship Road, North Charleston
  • Felix C. Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston
• District 10
  • St. Andrew’s Parks & Playground, 1095 Playground Road, Charleston
• District 20
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool, 155 Jackson Street, Charleston
• District 23
  • Train Station Playground, 5775 Route 165, Ravenel
  • C.C. Blaney Elementary School Campus, 7184 Route 162, Hollywood

“Our team will continue to look ways to expand access and opportunity for all of our students throughout the county during this trying time,” said Interim Executive Director of Transportation, James Lynch. “We are thankful for our community partners and business who are providing parking space for the buses and the families this service will impact in a positive way.”

These locations are in addition to the 10 school locations for buses equipped with WiFi Service and the multiple school sites with boosted wireless coverage that were announced yesterday by the District.

Students who are working on their school-issued devices should use these services. For more information, please contact the Office of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.

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