The Clay County Board of Education voted May 8 to approve a contract with FFA Federal Funding Advisors for E-rate consulting from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

The move allows the district to continue working with the consultant it previously used, who changed firms, the board was told. "This contract would just be allowing us to continue using her as our consultant through another firm," a board member said.

Board members emphasized the financial importance of the service. "These services give you guys probably around a little over $70,000 a year for E rate reimbursements for Internet access and dark fiber leasing things," Mister Upchurch said during the meeting.

The contract was presented as maintaining the same price and insurance protections that guard the district against lost federal reimbursements if a consultant misses a filing deadline. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

Outcome: contract approved for the 2025-26 E-rate consulting year, continuing support for federal reimbursements.