Taylor County board approves E-rate consultant contract to pursue roughly $800,000 in technology funds

The Taylor County School Board approved a consulting contract with Janie Griffin to assist the district in applying for federal E‑rate funds to update network equipment.

District staff said this filing cycle is the district’s turn to seek E‑rate funds and that the reimbursements will primarily cover switches, wireless access points and other networking equipment. "E‑rate funds are what pays for our switches, our access points," said Janie Griffin, who has filed the district’s E‑rate applications in prior cycles. "It's a percentage. I think it was 3% plus $1,500 for the filing."

Ron (staff) told the board the district expects to receive about $800,000 in E‑rate reimbursements this cycle; Griffin and board members described the consultant fee as a percentage of the award plus a flat filing fee. "The juice is definitely worth the squeeze on this one," Ron said, arguing that the consultant’s help increases the likelihood of a successful filing.

Board members asked whether Griffin’s fee could be negotiated downward given a smaller eligible amount this year because of lower student counts; staff replied that the percentage-based fee would correspondingly be lower if the total reimbursement is less. Board members also sought confirmation that the E‑rate program rules require precise documentation and that improper paperwork can cause a filing to be rejected.

After discussion the board approved the consulting contract by voice vote. The public record lists the motion and a carried vote; no roll-call tally was provided.