Richardson ISD will provide 1,000 additional mobile hotspots to support online learning over the course of coronavirus-related school closures, Deputy Superintendent Tabitha Branum said at an April 21 board meeting.

The hotspots will be distributed to families who do not have access to the internet at home. The district is prioritizing families who have multiple children, high school seniors and students enrolled in advanced placement courses, Branum said. The additional hotspots should be distributed by the end of the week, she added.

The district previously provided 752 hotspots prior to school closures and predicts the additional 1,000 will provide internet to every student in the district who still needs it, Executive Director of Communications Tim Clark said.

Currently, hotspots are only available via pick-up from the Richardson ISD Administration & Technology Annex building. However, Branum said the district is working on a plan to deliver to families who are unable to pick up.

The hotspots will continue to help families even after students return to school, Branum said.

“Now we are going to be able to support our families post-at-home-learning,” she said.