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Technology staff warns of aging wireless network; urges prioritized replacement and financing options
Summary
Technology staff told the committee the district’s wireless and switching infrastructure is at or near end‑of‑life, replacement parts are no longer compatible, and recommended prioritizing system replacement with financing to avoid disruptive rip‑and‑replace costs and bolster security.
Technology staff told the Finance and Resource Committee that the district’s wireless access points and switching hardware are reaching manufacturer end‑of‑life and that replacement parts that interoperate with the existing system are no longer available.
The presenter said warranties for central core devices will no longer be available after January 2027, and while redundancy has hidden some failures from end users, reliability issues are occurring and staff currently sets aside contingency funds for emergency repairs. Because the current equipment cannot be expanded or gradually refreshed using compatible replacements, staff recommended the committee prioritize a full replacement program.
Staff advised the committee that the replacement should be planned to align with security needs — including future cryptographic/post‑quantum readiness for high‑security integrations — and that financing options (amortization or leases) may allow the district to spread cost over the expected equipment life rather than fund a large one‑time outlay. The presenter said the firewall upgrade is already budgeted and will come to the board separately.
Committee members asked whether infrastructure replacements would be affected by future building construction or remodels; staff said adding new wings or redistributing devices would require additional access points but would not change the overall priority to replace unsupported core equipment. Staff said they will return with financing scenarios and recommended priorities for the board to consider.
