Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Technology Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monroe Schools aims to use roughly $90,000 in E‑Rate funds for outdoor network improvements
Summary
District technology staff said about $90,000 remains in the current E‑Rate cycle and recommended buying external wireless access points and switches to fill outdoor coverage holes and support camera and video systems; staff emphasized E‑Rate rules require quick bidding.
Technology staff told the board the district has roughly $90,000 available in the current E‑Rate funding window and proposed using that allocation to add external wireless access points and network switches to cover blind spots (parking lots, arrival/dismissal points and remote maintenance yards).
Kevin Piauser described prior E‑Rate projects — including a recabling project (about $838,000 total with the district paying roughly 20%) and a business‑wireless/switch replacement project — and said the current proposal focuses on 10 external access points and 10 network switches to improve coverage for offloading students and camera connectivity. "We have about $90,000 worth of the rate funds available," Piauser said.
Staff warned that E‑Rate procurements must follow specific bidding protocols and timelines and that approvals may be time‑sensitive; one board member noted that if tomorrow's board action is delayed, the district risks missing the current funding opportunity. Staff said the E‑Rate consultant will confirm exact discount rates and that the district typically pays a reduced share depending on vendor specifications.
Next steps: staff will bring an E‑Rate bid to the board for approval and proceed under the consultant's procurement timeline if the board wishes to capture the current cycle's funds.
