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Board approves E‑Rate network refresh at 60% discount pending possible later adjustment
Summary
The board approved a district network refresh under E‑Rate at a 60% reimbursement estimate, awarding network equipment and cabling to Heartland Business Systems and UPS batteries to Technology Group Solutions; the district said it will seek a final 80% certification and will purchase if the reimbursement level is confirmed.
Dennis Ilitch, director of technology, asked the board to approve the district’s network refresh under the E‑Rate program with the recommendation to accept current estimates at a 60% reimbursement rate.
Ilitch said the state has not yet validated the district’s E‑Rate application at the level needed for an 80% discount, so the board approved the purchase at a 60% eligible reimbursement figure with the understanding that the district will seek 80% certification later. "I am requesting that we approve the amount at 60% with the hopes that at some point we can get certification at 80%." Ilitch said.
The board approved awards resulting from the Form 470 procurement evaluation. Network equipment and cabling work were recommended to Heartland Business Systems; UPS and backup batteries were recommended to Technology Group Solutions. The 60% amount of eligible items presented to the board was $772,249.68. Trustees voted 7–0 to approve the E‑Rate purchase using the 60% estimate.
Ilitch said if the district later receives 80% certification, the district’s net cost will decrease accordingly and the board will be notified. The approved work covers district‑wide switches, cabling and battery backups to bring infrastructure up to current needs.
The approval was an action item in the meeting packet and will proceed under the district’s E‑Rate procurement controls.
