Austin ISD is applying to get Google Fiber access at some school district facilities.

The AISD board of trustees unanimously approved Sept. 30 a resolution to support the district's applications for Google Fiber, a gigabit Internet connection about 100 times faster than current average broadband Internet speeds. There was no discussion on the consent agenda item, but board documents indicate AISD accountability and information technology teams have completed 33 draft Google Fiber applications.

Google in April announced its plans to expand the service to Austin and connect select public institutions to gigabit access for free. The city of Austin has entered into a network cooperation agreement with Google in which Google has agreed to provide free Community Connections at 100 sites, AISD trustee Robert Schneider said. He said that in December, the city will likely announce the 100 selected sites it will submit to Google.

AISD applied for all 13 of its high schools and all 18 of its middle schools, in addition to the district's Carruth Administrative Center and the Baker Media and Cable TV 22 building, to be considered by the city. Applications were due Sept. 30, Schneider said.

"The resolution was simply a way [for the board] to go in and say, 'Yes, we support this; we think it's a really good idea," so that when it goes to [City Council for consideration] they fully understand that we're supporting the application that the district sent in," Schneider said.

Where Google Fiber will be available still remains to be determined. Google officials said in April that they expect the first homes to be connected to Google Fiber in mid-2014.

AISD documents posted as part of the board's Sept. 30 meeting agenda stated: "While AISD has received assurances that the district will receive some of the 100 Google Fiber sites, the number of sites is unknown."

Google will also make decisions about where to locate fiberhoods—areas with access to the Internet service—based on market research.

"[The Community Connections have] to fit within the fiberhoods that Google establishes, and we really don't know what those are right now," Schneider said, explaining AISD chose the schools based on priorities including where increased connectivity is needed, the percentage of students receiving free and reduced-price meals and the need to close the "digital divide."

Austinites can sign up for updates and to say they would like Google Fiber in their community at https://fiber.google.com/cities/austin.