EDIE ZUVANICH Special to the Press
School district goes 5G
HUTTO – Hutto Independent School District completed infrastructure improvements in November that doubled the speed of the district’s prior internet connection. The new connection has five gigabytes of bandwidth with the option to easily increase in the future as the district grows.
“The use of technology and the internet in public education has become an expectation and is critical to help prepare students for the world they live in and for their future careers,” according to a district statement.
Funding for the upgraded technology was approved by voters in the 2019 bond election.
“With the new internet connection, we have already seen actual bandwidth utilization higher than before, and have received comments from people that it seems more responsive,” said David Oestreicher, district director of technology and digital learning. “The increased bandwidth enables us to support online testing even when most students are doing it simultaneously, multimedia content and other internet applications even as Hutto ISD continues to quickly grow in size.”
The upgraded connection adds to the functionality of the wide area network the district added in 2020, connecting all district campuses and other locations to a centralized District Data Center. Oestreicher said that the added resiliency has allowed schools to continue to function online even in the event that service is disrupted by fiber lines being cut, an occurrence that has been happening more frequently with the increased volume of construction in Hutto. Additional technology infrastructure projects authorized by the 2023 bond will add to the district’s capabilities in coming years.
New hotel breaks ground
Developers held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new TownePlace Suites by Marriott on Dec. 1. The 4.3-acre property at 411 Ed Schmidt will be Hutto’s third major hotel and is scheduled to open in spring 2025.
The original plans for the hotel call for 89 rooms in a fourstory facility that would offer fully-equipped kitchens.
Mayor Mike Snyder said developers have worked closely with the city to ensure the hotel will be a good fit for the neighborhood.
“Some say that it’s not the responsibility of the city or City Council to address resident concerns on projects next to neighborhoods. I call hogwash. It is exactly why (special use permits) and the various processes are in place,” Snyder posted on his official social media page. “We should be representing the taxpayers and voters. Concerns were relayed regarding windows facing the residential homes. The developer worked with Marriott and addressed them.”
The project, which had been stalled since its announcement in 2020, received funding incentives from the Hutto Economic Development Corp. to offset an increase in impact fees since the pandemic.
City, schools considering new agreement
Hutto Independent School District board of trustees approved a new interlocal agreement drafted by its legal team. The ILA is now with the city pending approval.
The ILA is a document that describes how the city and school district will work together on construction of campuses and buildings within city jurisdiction. In 2022, misunderstandings regarding construction aesthetics and landscaping caused concerns over delays in the renovation of Hutto High School.
“Nothing is held up at this point in time,” said Henry Gideon, assistant superintendent for operations at the district. “Our attorney has shared this document with her counterpart at the city and we have not received any comment. We’ve also shared it with city manager and mayor and have not heard any comment back.”
A statement from the board said the ILA “focuses on the desire of the city of Hutto and Hutto ISD to work collaboratively to establish mutually acceptable land and site developments, standards and procedures for the construction of Hutto ISD educational facilities, which will provide clarity and reduce costs in the school permitting process while ensuring that the public health safety and welfare are protected.”
