Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Network Upgrade topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District selects CDW/Cisco for Wi‑Fi 7 and switch upgrades; E‑rate funding reduces district share to ~$218,200
Summary
CUSD 300 staff recommended replacing aging switches and about 1,700 classroom access points with Wi‑Fi 7 equipment. Vendor bids ranged from roughly $1.1M–$1.6M; with an anticipated 85% E‑rate reimbursement, the district cost was presented as $218,215.65.
CUSD 300 technology staff told the operations committee on April 7 that the district needs a core networking and wireless infrastructure upgrade to support one‑to‑one student devices and modern digital curriculum.
John Hmel reviewed the RFP process and said vendors returned bids between about $1.1 million and $1.6 million. The recommended vendor met the district’s technical and lead‑time requirements; staff said CDW with Cisco Catalyst switches and vendor‑recommended Wi‑Fi 7 access points was the best overall option.
Hmel explained the district expects to use E‑rate (USAC) funding, historically reimbursed at about 85%, to reduce local cost. Staff presented a face‑value example of roughly $213,205 for switches and $1,241,566 for wireless access points, yielding a district share of about $218,215.65 after expected E‑rate reimbursement. Staff said the E‑rate approval is pending but that they were confident of eligibility.
Trustees asked whether the scope included telephone portals or other telephony; staff said telecommunications remains exempt from the E‑rate cycle under current rules. Hmel noted the access points in ceilings are seven or more years old and replacement across classrooms (about 1,700 access points cited) would be necessary to maintain reliable instruction and high‑density connectivity.
Ending
Staff requested committee support to move the recommended vendor and E‑rate application forward; no final board action was taken at the operations meeting.
