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HUSD awards five-year wide-area network contract to Sparklight to preserve E‑Rate funding
Summary
The Humboldt Unified School District governing board approved a five-year wide area network contract with Sparklight and directed staff to submit the federal E‑Rate Form 471 by March 26 to retain estimated discounts; staff said the new contract reduces district costs by about $2,080 per month.
The Humboldt Unified School District governing board voted to award a five-year wide area network (WAN) services contract to Sparklight and authorized staff to submit the federal E‑Rate Form 471 to preserve E‑Rate discounts for the 2025–26 school year.
Board members took the action after a recommendation from district staff who led a competitive procurement and said the district must meet a March 26 deadline to keep federal E‑Rate support. Linda Head, the district presenter, said the district issued RFP 26-01-31 on Jan. 22, 2025, as part of the district’s E‑Rate 470/471 process. “To maintain this funding for the 2526 school year, we must submit our E Rate form 471 by March 26,” Head said.
Why it matters: E‑Rate provides the district with an 80% discount on eligible network services, and losing that funding would shift a large share of costs to local budgets. Head told the board the recommended five-year agreement replaces the current Sparklight contract that expires June 30, 2025, and — after staff correction of a data discrepancy — yields verified savings of about $2,080 per month, or $124,800 over five years. At the stated 80% discount rate, staff estimated the district’s annual share at $13,752 and described that as roughly $5,000 in annual savings compared with the prior arrangement.
Details and board action: Head said the RFP and E‑Rate paperwork were completed as part of the district’s federal funding process and recommended the award to Sparklight. A motion to approve the vendor award was made by board member Sprague and seconded by board member Mazone; the motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Board context and next steps: Board members asked one clarifying question about E‑Rate being a federal funding source. The board’s approval authorized staff to finalize the contract and to submit Form 471 by the stated federal deadline to secure the discount for the 2025–26 school year.
Votes at a glance Sparklight wide area network contract — Approved (motion by Sprague; second by Mazone).
