Kingsport board approves $238,606 E-rate Category 2 contract; district to cover 20%

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education voted Feb. 11, 2025, to award an E-rate Category 2 mini-bid to Personal Computer Systems Inc. for network equipment and infrastructure purchases for fiscal year 2025–26. The total project cost is $238,606; the district will be responsible for 20% of that amount and will include the project in its general-purpose budget.

Mr. Andy Arnold, who presented the item, said the purchase will utilize the Tennessee Educational Broadband Consortium state master contract (contract 68613). "This 25–26 E-rate Category 2 project totals $238,606. If approved, we will be responsible for 20% of that amount," Arnold said. He said the district follows the same budgeting approach it has used for previous E-rate Category 2 projects and is bringing the item forward because E-rate application deadlines require approval in advance of the filing window.

The packet and presentation identify the work as network equipment and infrastructure for multiple district locations; specific line-item equipment lists were not read into the public record at the meeting. The recommended action was to award the mini-bid to Personal Computer Systems Inc. under the Tennessee statewide contract. A board member moved the motion and a second was recorded; members cast votes and the motion passed. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally or individual recorded votes.

Administrators said the district will include the local share in its budget for the coming fiscal year and that the state master contract will be used for procurement. No additional implementation timeline or installation schedule was given at the meeting.