District explores E-Rate filings and FirstNet to fix campus dead zones

Sean, district technology staff, updated the board on E-Rate work and a possible FirstNet partnership intended to address cellular dead zones at district campuses.

He said the district filed a Form 470 to solicit proposals for wireless access points and a managed contract and will bring a wireless contract forward for board approval in coming months. "Every year we get our E-Rate funding to pay 80% of our network bill or of our Internet bill," he said, and described eligible items (switches, firewalls, wireless access points) for funding.

Sean explained FirstNet's potential benefits: it is an AT&T subsidiary network that gives priority to enrolled users during high-traffic events and, with newly expanded eligibility for education, could subsidize cell boosters and lower cellular bills in district administrative spaces. "We're talking half as much per month per bill," he said when describing potential savings.

He also described related work on door readers, wiring, radio issues, and the InformaCast intercom system. Staff said they will return with specific contract language and cost proposals when the bidding process concludes.