October 16, 2020
Dear Iowa County Parents and Community Members:
In late September 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension in Iowa County sent out 6,643 surveys about broadband internet services in Iowa County. We have been asked to send out a reminder to our school district parents and families in hopes that all of you will take the time to fill it out so the survey team has sound data about broadband internet as it exists now, the quality of that resource, and where we need improvements. The survey team will use the data to apply for grants, look for other partners and financial resources, and develop plans to attract existing and new broadband internet service providers.
Not every household in Iowa County received a paper copy of the survey. For example, if you live in the City of Dodgeville or the City of Mineral Point, you were not sent a paper survey. It is likely that renters did not receive the mailed survey either since they would not have been part of the mailing list used for this process. However, the survey team still values everyone’s input and welcomes your response to the online version of the survey preferably with a computer utilizing your home broadband internet service.
If you are able to do the survey online, please go to https://bit.ly/35GrN1N. You can request a mailed copy by calling 608-930-9850 and leaving your name and mailing address. Surveys will be collected through October 30, 2020.
Why is this survey so important? As we are all aware, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) changed the world we live in. Earlier this year, Safer-at-Home orders required most of us to think differently, act differently, learn differently, conduct our daily lives differently, and work differently. One resource/service that has been in the spotlight as many have been mostly confined to our homes, is broadband internet access.
We know there are challenges and opportunities to make broadband internet access in our area better. Without reliable and affordable broadband internet, our communities will fall behind in attracting and retaining residents and providing quality jobs, and our kids will lack access to opportunities that other school districts are building upon.
To have the most useful information, the survey team is requesting your complete address in the survey. They promise not to share your information publicly but will use it as a way of mapping the internet services for the county. If you have questions about the survey, please visit the survey website at www.iowa.extension.wisc.edu or call 608-930-9850.
The survey team appreciates your time and your responses. You can help make this change!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Hubbard, Superintendent