District staff urges quick vote to pursue $323,479 in E‑Rate Category 2 funds for network upgrades

District technology staff outlined a time‑sensitive opportunity to use federal E‑Rate Category 2 funding to upgrade wireless access points, switches and related internal network equipment and asked the board to be prepared for a possible short special meeting to approve a contract.

Nick Stepanovich, a district staff member, explained how E‑Rate divides funding into Category 1 (bandwidth) and Category 2 (internal connections). He said Category 1 historically covers bandwidth costs (the district is currently at an 80% discount level) and that Category 2 covers wireless access points, switches, cabling and racks. "Right now, we have 323,479 available," he told the board, referring to funds that could be used for Category 2 upgrades.

Stepanovich described the competitive procurement steps: a request for proposal was posted, vendors submit bids into the E‑Rate portal, the district evaluates bids using a cost/experience matrix, and the window for reviewing proposals closes March 25 with final bids due March 26. He warned there is a quiet period while proposals are pending and urged the board to be ready because the federal program’s future funding level is uncertain.

Board members asked whether the federal program might be cut and how much of the project the district would need to pay (the district would cover the remaining roughly 20%). Stepanovich said the USAC/ E‑Rate program is still finishing out the current year and that if the project is approved the district could use the available funds now; otherwise the district could face several hundred thousand dollars in additional costs.

Administration said that if bids come back in the expected range the board may need to call a very short special meeting (quorum of three required) to approve the contract before the E‑Rate deadlines. The administration and treasurer discussed multi‑year planning for the district share and noted that Category 1 is secure for the district for additional years under current filings.

Why it matters

E‑Rate support can cover a large portion of capital costs for school technology infrastructure. If the district secures Category 2 funding, it could replace or upgrade internal equipment at roughly 80% federal support, reducing the local capital burden; failing to act within the bidding window could shift hundreds of thousands of dollars onto the local budget.

What’s next

District staff will evaluate incoming bids after March 25, and the board could be asked to convene a short special meeting to act on contract approvals. Administration said it will circulate possible dates and post required notices if a special meeting is needed.