Buffalo Public Schools are tackling the issue of broadband access in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the Queen City. 

The district is planning to give free Wi-Fi to those who need it the most. 

The project will be rolled out on Buffalo's East and West Sides and across eight community schools.  

Around 5,000 families are expected to benefit from the program, according to Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash. 

Cash says the primary way students and their families are connecting to the BPS educational portal is via cell phone. 

Once the free Wi-Fi is added to these communities, students will be able to login with their school credentials to access it.

BPS says they want to close the digital gap. 

"The more we provide and help with the digital divide, by providing greater equity and access to the internet and all the learning materials and opportunities that we have in the schools right now. It's just a sea change. It's transformative," said Cash.

The school district is partnering with HarpData, an information tech company in Buffalo to roll out the Wi-Fi.

It's expected to cost $1.3 million.

Cash says he would like launch the program in August and December.