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Shawnee Heights board approves WAN Rack fiber network contract; district share set at roughly 10%
Summary
The Shawnee Heights Board of Education voted to approve a wide-area network leasing and services agreement with WAN Rack, authorizing a ring fiber design for school buildings and enabling potential community connectivity; most construction costs will be covered by federal and state funding, with the district responsible for the remaining share.
The Shawnee Heights Board of Education approved a wide-area network (WAN) leasing and services agreement with WAN Rack during its regular meeting, advancing a districtwide fiber ring intended to provide resilient school connections and potential community internet access.
District and WAN Rack presenters described the design as a full ring through school right-of-ways with dual entry points into each building to reduce single-point failures. A WAN Rack representative said the firm would “lay multiple pairs of fiber” and build the ring so additional pairs could be used later to extend service to families or businesses. The representative also said WAN Rack guarantees a field response: “we guarantee a 2 hour response time… for you guys, it’s 40 minutes tops” given nearby offices.
Board members pressed for details about operations and cost. Presenters described options for extending service off the ring: building branches of fiber to homes, or using wireless towers off the ring to reach rural addresses. The representative described the financing: “E-rate covers 70%. There’s a state grant that will kick in 10%. And then because of that state match grant, e-rate will match another 10%… 80% will come from E-rate, and then 10% from the state, and then the district will be responsible for 10%,” (transcript wording as read by the presenter).
Board member Rocky Bousnitz moved approval; Rosa Cavazos seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, recorded as unanimous in favor.
The contract includes a mapping exhibit and the ring design; presenters said the ring will be built to allow later community extensions where demand exists. District staff said they had legal review of the contract before bringing it to the board.
Board members and staff noted operational benefits beyond redundancy for schools: presenters said the district may receive monthly-rate discounts as community connections come online and that families currently dependent on less reliable service (for example, satellite) could gain improved options.
The board approved the contract and directed staff to proceed with final execution consistent with the funding plan discussed at the meeting.
