The 62 schools across the area's public school board are getting some Wi-Fi upgrades.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is using about $2.15-million in federal and provincial funding to replace its old Wi-Fi equipment.
The school board received a total of $6,288,184 through the Investing in Canada plan, part of $656.5-million the governments are investing in Ontario school boards.
LKDSB Superintendent of Business Brian McKay said Wi-Fi upgrades have been in the works for awhile, they just needed some money.
"It's replacing a lot of our old Wi-Fi equipment and switching gears, so that's the hardware that basically, I would say runs the Wi-Fi or ensures that it's at the school, it's available and that it functions for our staff and students," said McKay. "This will ensure that we can not only continue to provide the same great Wi-Fi and bandwidth we do now, but also allows for growth in the system over the future."
McKay said the board is spending around $3.5-million on HVAC and air-conditioning upgrades at 14 schools. He said the remaining funds will go for window replacement as well as adding 53 water bottle fill stations across schools."
The St. Clair Catholic School Board received $3,718,628.
Associate Director of Corporate Services Amy Janssens said they're using the bulk of the funding, about $2.98-million, to upgrade HVAC systems at seven schools.
Another $620,000 will help replace non-operable windows at three schools, and $115,000 will be put towards installing water bottle fill stations at four schools.
