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Greendale district to pursue E-Rate-funded network switch replacement; net cost estimated at $94,166
Summary
Administration reported the lowest e-rate bid for network switch replacement at $188,332.11 and said a typical 50% federal reimbursement would bring the district's net cost to $94,166.06; the purchase exceeds the board's $100,000 threshold and will be brought back for formal approval.
District administrators told the board the district has completed an E-Rate bid process for replacement of network switches. The lowest responsive bid reported was $188,332.11; under the federal E-Rate program administrators expect a reimbursement of approximately 50 percent, leaving a net district obligation of $94,166.06.
Jonathan (Speaker 11) said the purchase is part of the district's long-range technology budget and that network equipment typically is replaced on a five- to seven-year cycle. Because the full contract amount exceeds the board's $100,000 purchasing policy threshold, administration will return at a future meeting with the formal purchase request and required contracts for E-Rate approval.
Board members questioned the variance among bids, the timeline for reimbursement and whether the district could delay the purchase one year. Administration said the low bidder had worked with the district before and that the E-Rate timeline for reimbursement is usually quick; it also acknowledged the district could defer replacement but noted risks of delaying infrastructure upgrades. No final purchase authorization occurred at this meeting.
