Ohio Controlling Board, Aug. 25 — The Controlling Board approved spending for Cisco networking equipment to expand Wornet, Ohio’s statewide optical network, after university and network representatives explained the equipment-only purchase and the partnership model.
Leanne Chandler of Ohio State University introduced the Ohio State item and said the equipment purchase supports Wornet. Justin Costa of Wornet (the statewide optical network) explained the network is a public–private partnership that provides network services to higher education, K–12, state and local governments across Ohio. He described the procurement as equipment to "light fiber"—Cisco gear to enable connectivity across the statewide network.
Why it matters: The network connects education and government institutions statewide; the contracts discussed are for equipment only. Senator Ingram asked whether the Department of Higher Education funds later on the agenda were related; officials confirmed the Department of Higher Education item channels funds to Ohio State for equipment under the same Wornet program.
Discussion vs. decision: The board approved both the Ohio State item (item 10) and a related Department of Higher Education item (item 24) after officials clarified the scope (equipment only) and the partnership model. No formal conditions were added by the board.
Actions: {"motion":"Approve items 10 and 24 (Wornet equipment purchases)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","outcome":"approved","notes":"Items approved after clarifying equipment-only scope and public–private partnership model."}
Speakers:[
{"name":"Leanne Chandler","role_title":"Representative","affiliation_type":"business","affiliation_name":"The Ohio State University"},
{"name":"Justin Costa","role_title":"Wornet representative","affiliation_type":"other","affiliation_name":"Wornet/statewide optical network"},
{"name":"Michael Graham","role_title":"Director of Legislative Affairs","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Department of Higher Education"},
{"name":"Senator Ingram","role_title":"Controlling Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Ohio Senate"}
]
Authorities: []
Discussion_Decision:{"discussion_points":["Wornet operates as a statewide optical network and public–private partnership","Funds under Department of Higher Education item will flow back to Ohio State for equipment","Purchase is for Cisco equipment (to light fiber) only"],"directions":[],"decisions":["Controlling Board approved items 10 and 24 (equipment purchases)"]}
Clarifying_details:[{"category":"scope","detail":"Equipment-only purchase to light fiber across statewide network; operations/services handled by Wornet partners","value":null},{"category":"fund_flow","detail":"Department of Higher Education item will channel equipment dollars to Ohio State to acquire equipment from vendor in Illinois","value":null}]
proper_names:[{"name":"Wornet","type":"other"},{"name":"The Ohio State University","type":"school"},{"name":"Department of Higher Education","type":"agency"},{"name":"Cisco","type":"business"}]
searchable_tags:["Wornet","fiber","education","Cisco","higher education"]
provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"wornet_intro_leanne","local_start":0,"local_end":46,"evidence_excerpt":"Oh my goodness. Alright. We moving on, we will begin with, the Ohio State University item number 10. For the record, please state your name. Hi. My name is Leanne Chandler, Ohio State University.","global_start":239.875,"global_end":254.18,"reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"wornet_explanation","local_start":0,"local_end":143,"evidence_excerpt":"Thank you for the question. Wornet is a statewide optical network...It is a partnership between private sector and public sector, and this equipment is Cisco equipment, which is used to light fiber optic cable across the state, which is basically setting up the network.","global_start":295.435,"global_end":333.525,"reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}