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Paradise Valley board approves $8.1 million network upgrade using E‑Rate and bond funds
Summary
The board approved a multi‑year IT infrastructure upgrade (estimated $8,098,460.61) funded approximately 60% by federal E‑Rate discounts and 40% by district bond funds; work will be implemented in two phases across 2025–27 to modernize campus networks and support safety and instructional needs.
The Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board unanimously approved a recommended purchase under current district contract 2202PV for a districtwide information technology infrastructure upgrade, district staff said.
Director of Information Technology Jeff Billings presented the plan, describing aging campus network equipment and the need to modernize switching and access across about 40 campuses. Billings said the total vendor quote from the low responsive bidder, Hy‑Tech, was $8,098,460.61 and that the project will proceed in two phases over the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.
Funding: Billings said the district will leverage federal E‑Rate discounts to cover roughly 60% of eligible instructional areas and will use bond funds for the remaining approximately 40%, and for campus spaces that E‑Rate does not cover (for example, gyms, auditoriums, cafeterias, front offices, administrative buildings, warehouse and transportation facilities). He said the district owns its fiber backbone and expects to deploy equipment with minimal disruption to live schooling by scheduling work in evenings and weekends.
Board members asked how the upgrade would affect school safety, whether the E‑Rate funds are secure, and what ineligible areas would be covered by bonds. Billings told the board that modernized switching improves the performance of digital safety systems (surveillance, access control, etc.) and that the district has long participated in the E‑Rate program; he estimated E‑Rate funding around $1.5 million for certain components and confirmed the district would not need to front those E‑Rate funds to the vendor.
Administration recommended awarding the work to Hy‑Tech through cooperative contract 1GPA PVUSD contract 2202PV. If approved, Billings said equipment would be ordered immediately and project management would begin, with Billings and the IT team leading implementation.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this report include Jeff Billings (director of information technology), President Mrs. Greenberg, Ms. Wani, Mrs. Christiansen, Dr. Lim and Superintendent Dr. Reynolds.
