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Silver Consolidated Board approves bus Wi‑Fi, internet contracts and preapproval for e‑rate equipment
Summary
The Silver Consolidated Board of Education approved three RFP recommendations: a bus Wi‑Fi contract with Kajit, continuation of existing district internet vendors, and preapproval for committee award of e‑rate category 2 equipment, contingent on funding.
The Silver Consolidated Board of Education approved three technology contract recommendations Wednesday, giving final approval to a bus Wi‑Fi vendor, approving continued district internet links, and granting preapproval for the review committee to award e‑rate Category 2 equipment.
The actions passed at the special meeting include awarding bus Wi‑Fi to Kajit, keeping Fat Beam and W and M Communications for district internet and site links, and preapproving the committee to award Category 2 e‑rate equipment to the highest‑scoring bidder so paperwork can be filed before spring break.
The decisions follow a presentation from Ben Potts, the district’s technology director, who told the board the committee reviewed three RFPs for bus Wi‑Fi and selected Kajit. “They were the most expensive because they take more equipment. But we went with [Kajit] because they have cellular service with AT&T, Verizon and T‑Mobile,” Potts said, adding the multi‑carrier approach is important for rural routes to avoid dead zones on long drives to Cliff.
Potts said the recommended bus Wi‑Fi system will be managed and filtered like school networks, will not support high‑bandwidth streaming such as Netflix on the district connection, and includes equipment and installation that can be retrofitted to older buses. He told the board the bus Wi‑Fi contract would be for three years and installations could begin July 1. He also noted the bus Wi‑Fi contract is contingent on e‑rate funding: “If the district were not to receive e‑rate funding, the contract’s null and void.”
On district internet and site links, Potts said the committee recommends remaining with the current vendors: Fat Beam for district internet in Silver City and for fiber links to Harrison Schmitt, Sixth Street and Jose Barrios; and W and M Communications to provide internet and the link between Silver and Cliff. Potts said the district structured those as annual contracts with two one‑year extensions because of uncertainty about statewide network changes.
The board voted unanimously on each motion. Board member Mr. Khan moved each recommendation and Mrs. Clement seconded; in each case the board chair called for the ayes and the motions passed.
Board members asked operational questions during the discussion. Mr. Khan asked whether the bus Wi‑Fi would include GPS or telematics; Potts said the Wi‑Fi service is for passenger connectivity, though the district could procure telematics separately. Board members also asked about device logins; Potts described two networks: one that would automatically push to school devices and a guest network for personal devices that would require district credentials.
The district has approximately $80,000 remaining in its e‑rate budget for Category 2 (hardware) and Potts asked for preapproval so the committee could award the equipment vendor after the RFP closes March 24 and paperwork is due March 26. That preapproval was granted to avoid calling an additional meeting during spring break.
Votes at a glance
• Motion 1 — Consideration and approval of Silver Consolidated Schools RFP recommendation for 2025–26 bus Wi‑Fi: Mover — Mr. Khan; Second — Mrs. Clement; Vote — Montenegro: yes; Dr. Diaz: yes; Mr. McMillan: yes; Mrs. Clement: yes; Mr. Khan: yes; Outcome — approved.
• Motion 2 — Consideration and approval of Silver Consolidated Schools RFP recommendation for 2024–25 Category 1 services (district internet and links): Mover — Mr. Khan; Second — Mrs. Clement; Vote — Montenegro: yes; Dr. Diaz: yes; Mr. McMillan: yes; Mrs. Clement: yes; Mr. Khan: yes; Outcome — approved.
• Motion 3 — Consideration and approval to grant the committee preapproval to award RFP 25‑26 e‑rate Category 2 equipment to the highest scoring vendor (paperwork deadlines discussed): Mover — Mr. Khan; Second — Mrs. Clement; Vote — Montenegro: yes; Dr. Diaz: yes; Mr. McMillan: yes; Mrs. Clement: yes; Mr. Khan: yes; Outcome — approved.
The board chair closed the special meeting at 7:47 a.m.
