At Reeds Spring School District in rural southern Missouri, reliable internet access can be a challenge. With students living in remote areas and many families facing financial instability, the district needed a solution to keep students connected outside the classroom. That’s where Kajeet came in.
Reeds Spring implemented a 1:1 device program nearly a decade ago, but many students lacked internet access at home. Kajeet SmartSpot® devices provided an affordable, filtered connectivity solution that students could check out as needed.
However, when IT Director Joe Carlile joined the district, he discovered that many families weren’t aware of the program.
By increasing awareness and making SmartSpot devices more accessible, the district saw a significant rise in student usage. Librarians played a key role in managing checkouts, ensuring students had the internet access they needed for schoolwork. The length of time the devices are checked out depends on the individual student’s period of need, but are usually in the hands of a student for at least a month at a time.
Beyond student connectivity, Kajeet became a critical resource for district operations. Because of Reeds Spring’s rural location and older infrastructure, the district experiences frequent power and internet outages—disrupting phones, email, and administrative systems.
Joe repurposed Kajeet SmartSpot devices in front offices to serve as a backup during these outages. When a major power failure hit, staff used the devices to communicate with parents and complete urgent reports, keeping operations running smoothly.
One of Joe’s favorite aspects of Kajeet is its ease of use. “I give them to someone, I say, ‘Turn it on, look here for your password,’ and it just works,” he said.
The Sentinel® platform helps the district track data usage and manage devices efficiently. While the program is currently serving only high school students, with the real-time insights the platform provides, Joe is able to justify requests for additional devices and has plans to expand the program to serve middle school students as well.
Despite exploring competitors, Joe remains committed to Kajeet.
“Not only is Kajeet priced right, but it offers the best service, with the right carriers, at the right time,” he said.
At Reeds Spring, the mission is to be a world-class school district. Kajeet plays a critical role in achieving that vision—ensuring students and staff stay connected no matter the circumstances.
“The biggest part of the success story is that Kajeet serves the needs we have, where we need them, when we need them—and it just works.”
Joe Carlile, IT Director, Reeds Spring School District
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