View Motion

Whereas the Cambridge Public School District has provided Chromebooks and 400 Wi-Fi hotspots for students since schools closed on March 13th, and;

Whereas the digital divide, which affects low-income residents and has existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, has now been further exacerbated, and;

Whereas internet service has become a basic need to access information, finish school assignments, and order food and supplies, and;

Whereas our neighboring city of Somerville entered into a contract with Comcast last week to provide six months of free home internet service for the 450 families that their school district identified as not having internet at home, and;

Whereas in addition, the Somerville Public School District gave Verizon Jetpacks to families who were not eligible for the Comcast service, and;

Whereas short term options may exist, such as, providing Comcast Internet Essentials for the next year, now therefore be it;

Resolved that the Superintendent and Chief of Information Services work with the City Manager to explore the feasibility of providing internet to families, and be it further;

Resolved that, by June 26th, the Superintendent will provide the School Committee with an update.