Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education It topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectmen approve $222,353 network upgrade for schools; E‑Rate will reimburse about half
Summary
The Board approved $222,353 to upgrade access points and switches with Total Communications; Board of Education's E‑Rate award covers roughly 50% and the district will pay the remaining share. Staff described the federal E‑Rate program and its bid and documentation requirements.
The board approved a $222,353 contract with Total Communications Inc. to install Meraki access points and switch upgrades; the Board of Education's share is roughly $111,176.50 after an E‑Rate reimbursement.
A presenter explained E‑Rate as a federal grant program that reimburses eligible education and library purchases based on the district's free and reduced‑price lunch population; Waterford qualified for about 50% reimbursement this cycle. The presenter said E‑Rate eligibility is limited to networking hardware and communications components and requires a formal bid process and federal documentation; the district worked with a consultant to prepare filings and collect bids.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the percentage, bid sheet requirements and program limits; staff said E‑Rate had narrowed eligible purchases over the years to mostly networking components and that the district has used E‑Rate for more than two decades.
The board voted to approve the award by voice vote.
