Board approves equipment purchase for statewide Wornet fiber network serving K–12 and higher education

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…