EPIC negotiates reduced per-line cost with T‑Mobile for student hotspots, board approves contract form

The EPIC Charter Schools board approved a contract-approval form for a renegotiated T‑Mobile agreement that cuts the per-line monthly cost for student MiFi hotspots and establishes quarterly credits to offset equipment purchases.

Mr. Kimball presented the item and said the per-line price dropped from $25 to $15 per month for about 17,000 lines, and that T‑Mobile will provide a quarterly rebate of $8.25 per line. “Effectively, it cuts that $15 a month down to basically in half,” Mr. Kimball told the board. The item passed on a roll-call vote.

Board members and staff described the service as the district’s primary carrier for student hotspots; staff said Verizon is used to a much smaller degree. The credits will be used to subsidize new equipment so the organization does not need separate capital outlays.

Michael Florey noted the renegotiation was timely because it will reduce recurring operating costs. The board approved the contract form and instructed staff to implement the agreement.

The T‑Mobile item was presented alongside other finance and contract items during the meeting and passed by unanimous roll-call vote.