Nordonia Hills board approves contracts and E-rate application for districtwide network upgrades
March 28, 2024 | Nordonia Hills City, School Districts, Ohio
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The Nordonia Hills School Board on March 27 approved two competitive-bid contracts and a resolution to submit projects for federal E-rate reimbursement, authorizing network, switch and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) upgrades at multiple district schools.
The board voted to approve a NeoNet fiber‑installation quote not to exceed $34,435.71 for Northfield Elementary, Rushwood Elementary, Leftview Elementary, Leighton Elementary and Newdonia Middle School and to approve a CDWG package not to exceed $699,091 for core networking equipment, switches, UPS systems and related services that also includes Newdonia High School. Both approvals are contingent on receipt of E-rate funding from the Federal Communications Commission/USAC.
“E-rate will pay to us 40% of whatever we decide to do on doing this,” said Unidentified Speaker (S5), who introduced both motions and described the district’s reasons for pursuing the contracts. S5 told the board the projects would not start until the district received official E-rate approval: if the reimbursement is lower than expected or denied, the board will revisit whether to proceed.
Board members and staff framed the work as urgent. “All of our new safety systems we installed last year are required Internet usage,” S5 said, explaining that door badge systems, cameras and emergency buttons depend on reliable network infrastructure. Unidentified Speaker (S2), who addressed technical and procurement details, warned that the district’s older switches and equipment raise cybersecurity and insurance‑cost risks and noted parts of the district’s existing fiber date to 2001.
Officials said the district intends to pay its share from the Permanent Improvement (PI) fund; one staff member said any required software (about $50,000, if needed) would be paid from the general fund. S3 explained the board will formally transfer funds into the PI fund in June to align with the project timeline.
Staff described the competitive‑bid process and documentation required by USAC: the district retains bid matrices and supporting records and submits the accepted bid for E-rate review; USAC may request supporting bids during audits or records requests. The board’s consultant will file the E-rate application on an expedited schedule to meet the program deadline.
Votes followed motions and seconds on each contract. Board members verbally confirmed approval on the record for both motions; the board’s approvals are explicitly conditional on receiving the E-rate award and completing the funding transfers discussed.
The board adjourned after the votes. Staff said they will proceed with the E-rate filing and return to the board if federal funding is not awarded or if the award differs from the 40% estimate.
The board voted to approve a NeoNet fiber‑installation quote not to exceed $34,435.71 for Northfield Elementary, Rushwood Elementary, Leftview Elementary, Leighton Elementary and Newdonia Middle School and to approve a CDWG package not to exceed $699,091 for core networking equipment, switches, UPS systems and related services that also includes Newdonia High School. Both approvals are contingent on receipt of E-rate funding from the Federal Communications Commission/USAC.
“E-rate will pay to us 40% of whatever we decide to do on doing this,” said Unidentified Speaker (S5), who introduced both motions and described the district’s reasons for pursuing the contracts. S5 told the board the projects would not start until the district received official E-rate approval: if the reimbursement is lower than expected or denied, the board will revisit whether to proceed.
Board members and staff framed the work as urgent. “All of our new safety systems we installed last year are required Internet usage,” S5 said, explaining that door badge systems, cameras and emergency buttons depend on reliable network infrastructure. Unidentified Speaker (S2), who addressed technical and procurement details, warned that the district’s older switches and equipment raise cybersecurity and insurance‑cost risks and noted parts of the district’s existing fiber date to 2001.
Officials said the district intends to pay its share from the Permanent Improvement (PI) fund; one staff member said any required software (about $50,000, if needed) would be paid from the general fund. S3 explained the board will formally transfer funds into the PI fund in June to align with the project timeline.
Staff described the competitive‑bid process and documentation required by USAC: the district retains bid matrices and supporting records and submits the accepted bid for E-rate review; USAC may request supporting bids during audits or records requests. The board’s consultant will file the E-rate application on an expedited schedule to meet the program deadline.
Votes followed motions and seconds on each contract. Board members verbally confirmed approval on the record for both motions; the board’s approvals are explicitly conditional on receiving the E-rate award and completing the funding transfers discussed.
The board adjourned after the votes. Staff said they will proceed with the E-rate filing and return to the board if federal funding is not awarded or if the award differs from the 40% estimate.
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