Two months later, the Fox Cities are still dealing with storm damage from this summer. When one area lost internet connectivity, WiscNet– a local non-profit that provides internet access and other technology services to member organizations – made a different connection to try to help.
You’re about to see how a suitcase helped the school district on its journey back to power.
Let’s unpack this: the internet is for more than just your computer.
“We were completely in the dark,” Greg Kehring, supervisor of tech and innovation for the Menasha Joint School District, said.
When storms hit Menasha in July, they knocked out power and the internet.
“We had to kind of scramble,” Kehring said.
Kehring says the phone system, HVAC, scheduling, and even some school door locks rely on internet connectivity.
“Every single door (at a new school) has a card reader to get into it. Even that is connected,” Kehring said.
With the new school year approaching, the district needed some help.
“The attitude around here at WiscNet is this is just what we do,” Rich Turiel, chief technology officer for WiscNet, said.
WiscNet sent emergency internet kits up to the Menasha School District and the city.
“These are the WIFI routers you can set up the mini network,” Turiel said.
The kits are housed inside of bright orange roller suitcases. They include the routers, hotspots, a satellite dish, solar battery packs, and more. They allowed the district to regain internet access, while it waited for a permanent solution.
“Everything is going super smoothly,” Kehring said, noting that the internet is back on for the new school year.
It’s an orange suitcase packed with internet access, but Turiel says it’s a way to lighten the baggage that comes with a storm.
“Just to be able to serve our membership and to be able to give back to our members in these communities when they may need us,” Turiel said.