The proposal includes applying for a $114,218 grant from the broadband program administered by the Public Service Commission as part of the Nebraska Universal Service Fund.

At the Aug. 16 hearing, Rhoades wondered whether it’s wise to spend so much on a bus that can accommodate only a limited number of students. For that cost, OPS and Cox could instead install Internet in the homes of hundreds of low-income families, Rhoades said. She’s also worried about the safety of students walking around tough neighborhoods after school to access the bus.

“It is not that I am opposed to the idea,” she said, according to a transcript. “It is that I don’t think it is the best bang for the buck, and I don’t think it does the most good.”

OPS board member Justin Wayne said the cost is also hard for him to swallow. The overall concept for the bus would probably not require formal approval from the school board.

“The amount of money we’re asking for, we could actually run Internet to their homes for a year,” he said.