Board committee recommends Cox for district telecommunications contract; committee cites E-rate savings and resiliency
Summary
A finance committee recommended awarding the district's telecommunications RFP to Cox Communications (scored highest); the recommendation was moved and approved and will proceed to the full board with a motion that passed the committee 10-0.
A finance committee presented tabulations from a telecommunications RFP for the district’s internet and telephone services, seeking a contract beginning July 1, 2026 (three years with two optional 12-month renewals).
The packet noted two responses: Cox Communications and AT&T Business. Presenters said Cox’s internet pricing was about $7,500 lower than AT&T’s internet bid and that AT&T did not submit pricing for telephone services, which limited direct comparison. The committee reported an evaluation using three scorers (300 maximum points) and said Cox scored 300 out of 300 while AT&T scored 237 out of 300.
Presenters recommended Cox to increase network resiliency by adding a second internet connection at Chalmette High School so traffic can be balanced between two sites and a single point of failure at central office can be avoided. The district noted E‑Rate would cover 90% of the internet and phone costs, leaving the district with about 10% of the listed annual cost (presenter cited an annual district share near $29,811 under the Cox scenario).
Board member Miss Creason moved to accept the committee recommendation to award the contract to Cox and send it to the full board; Miss White seconded. Committee members voted to approve the recommendation (recorded as "Motion passes 10 0").
