001a quorum bill and Lory's on Zoom. So introduction to visitors >> we have ladies and gentlemen. >> Welcome everyone. >> Any public comment from anyone? Hey I'd like to thank everybody for coming tonight. I guess the reason is just for this one action item. Josh, if you would explain. >> Yes. So we um there's a federal program called brief history on -ate was long time ago any any government body could get a discounted funding uh on on telephone bills. Well, then the internet came along and so that became part of -ate too. You get you could get discounted uh rates on your internet bill. And then as internet expanded and technology began to take off, well, you needed infrastructure to make internet work well. And so they went from category one and added category two
002which provides some additional funding assistance for for uh technology infrastructure. And so that's what this is all about is we file every five years or so you're you're eligible for funding for category 2. You're eligible every year for category one which is your phone and internet bill where they they the federal government will pay for a portion or give you a refund for a portion of of those bills. Every five years you're eligible for category two which is to upgrade your infrastructure or repair any of your technology related infrastructure. And so that's where we're at right now. And unfortunately the deadline for getting this this submitted is April 1st. So unaware of that until recently. Uh we do hire an -ate specialist to process our application as most districts do across the state and we
003had bids on a project upgrade our infrastructure. We kind of mentioned this. We're doing this in partnership with K12 Montana um who is make who made the recommendations and some of the things that we need that we needed and it's what what it did what this project entails is a lot of cable pulling um new category 6 uh or cat 6 cabling 123 runs that's in both buildings just for the just for the cabling and and installing the cables that's 30,800 73 fix that piece of it and that also includes new firewall and lots of switches $20,792 worth of switches. So the total project um the bid that we have that I'm recommending tonight is 801 technology and the total cost of that project would be $54,864. Now, we're on the hook for all of
004that up front. And so, I got this was the lowest bid, by the way, had of the I think seven or eight bids. Um, the catch was with this bid, it's a what they call a ver bid, and you got to pay for it all up front, and then you're reimbursed later. Now, the portion that we would be reimbursed, I believe, was u I think I wrote it down here, but was around $38,000. we we're responsible for roughly $17,000 of that. So for basically a quarter of the cost, you know, we we get a really big project and a much needed um upgrades taken care of. And so that would be my my recommendation tonight. Again, I would answer any questions. Another thing that this project will help us do a problem will help us
005resolve. Currently with the new ASIT building, you know, we have two separate PA systems, public announcement systems. So, we got to make an announcement. We pick up the one for this building, which does connect with the lodge and they got to pick up the phone for the ASI building and you're holding two phones making two announcements. Not exactly convenient. We can make it work, but if there was any safety issue, that's just one more thing you have to do during a potential crisis. And so, these these cabling, we're doing two drops in every room that doesn't have one. And that'll allow us to get that to to install a PA system which would kind of be phase two. Won't be an -ate project. That'll be a separate project. That'll be phase two. And get us
006a PA system that would work in all three buildings. Kind of upgrade us and bring us up to the standard there. >> Is it is it a 100% guarantee that we would get the funding back? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> 100% guarantee because it's federal funding. We got the beds on. >> Any idea? >> I believe I believe it comes directly to us. That doesn't go through them sign off. >> Any idea when the money need to come back in, Josh? 34,000. >> They said that um it could it could come in pretty quick essentially. Well, the project itself, they'd have to have completion of the project. They said it could come in as as quickly as three weeks after the project. think that three to six weeks I think is the window for receiving
007the the refund. I wouldn't make the suggestion if I didn't think that we could cover it. We we do have next closest bid was $20,000 more and that's with them covering the expense up front. Um, so that's I just felt like it was such a g a wide gap that was worth us all the same 20,000 the project estimate turned the time needs some >> where is 01 technology located >> believe they're a Utah group. >> Okay, but they have I think they have a branch here in Montana. Thank you for much additional would be needed to finish the the whole PA piece when you're done with this. Do you know? Um, I think we had had got a bid on the on the on a patch. Yeah, they're they're a Utah based company. I
008think they have a a satellite. When we talked about doing a patch, it's going to be around $40,000. I think with I'm not sure if this would require that. It might be a completely new bid. We were looking for some way to make our current system work. That just seemed like a lot for a hatch, >> right? >> So, this upgrades the entire system where we can just have a whole new system. Um, and again, our cost is 17,000. So, I'd have we probably look at getting new bids for a new PA system that >> Well, it seems like it makes sense. I would make a motion to approve this expenditure up front so that we can move forward. Sorry. >> Been moved and seconded to approve the bid from 801 technology for the rate
009funding for the school year 2026. There any other questions or discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Opposed passes unanimously. Any other items to come for the forward? Entertain a motion for adjournment. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed. The next meeting is April 13th at 7 in Indie. The >> agenda is starting to get a little little meaty. So there'll be some some stuff on there. Hopefully everybody make it to the April meeting. Thank you. Thank you, Lori. Thanks, Lori. >> Thank you. Yep. We'll see you guys in a couple weeks. >> Yep. Thank you, Chris.