Agenda Item
e. Approval of E-Rate Category 1 Network Services (Not to Exceed $139,087.33 after E-Rate Discount)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of E-Rate Category 1 eligible network equipment and technology services for the following:
● Zayo in the amount of $37,500 for Dark Fiber
● Cogent in the amount of $99,999 for 100Gb Internet Access
● AT&T in the amount of $1,253,374.32 for Lit Fiber Network
Total cost not to exceed $1,390,873 before E-Rate reimbursement. The district cost should not exceed $139,087.33 after the 90% E-Rate reimbursement.
Why: This request will ensure reliable, scalable, and resilient network infrastructure to support instructional and business continuity across the DeKalb County School District. Leveraging E-Rate funding administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) allows the district to secure these critical network services at a reduced amount of their commercial cost, with DCSD qualifying for a 90% discount based on free and reduced lunch eligibility.
These services strengthen the district’s digital learning environment and reduce risk of outages by increasing bandwidth, expanding resiliency, and establishing redundant network pathways between schools and core locations.
Details: DCSD utilizes E-Rate to extend purchasing power for eligible services and receive reimbursements on approved expenditures. For the FY26 funding cycle, DCSD applied for the following services:
Dark Fiber
Zayo-$37,500 (District Cost $3,750)
This provides the primary physical path between DCSD’s network and the Internet. Two bids were received, one for dark fiber and one for lit fiber. After evaluating recurring lease rates, required equipment, and maintenance costs over a 12-month period per E-Rate evaluation rules, dark fiber represented the lowest total cost and most cost-effective solution, even when lighting and maintenance expenses were included.
Internet Access - 100Gb Resilient Circuit
Cogent-$99,999.00 (District Cost $9,999.90)
This will provide supplemental high-capacity Internet bandwidth to relieve congestion caused by increasing student device usage and cloud-based applications. This connection will also serve as a failover to the state-provided PeachNet circuit, ensuring continued access to instructional and business systems during disruptions.
Lit Fiber Network
AT&T-$1,253,374.32 (District Cost $125,337.43)
This will provide a secondary connection path from each school to one of DCSD’s core network hubs (AIC, Sam Moss, or WBBC), independent of the existing self-provisioned fiber network. This layer of resiliency protects learning and operations from fiber cuts, facility outages, and accidental infrastructure damage.
Financial impact: $139,087.33 (District Cost)
General Fund
100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: July 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Chronology- E-Rate Category 1
The Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) seeks approval to
procure E-Rate Category 1 network services that expand bandwidth capacity, reinforce
districtwide network resiliency, and protect continuity of instruction and business
operations across the DeKalb County School District.
As instructional programs, assessment platforms, and operational systems continue to
migrate to cloud-based environments, reliable connectivity has become critical to the
daily functioning of every school. The district currently relies on a single primary Internet
pathway and the self-provisioned fiber network. Although effective, this configuration
presents risks: fiber damage, construction-related disruptions, or upstream failures can
interrupt access to essential digital resources, impacting teaching, learning, payroll,
transportation, safety systems, and district communications. To address this, DIIT
pursued services designed to strengthen bandwidth capacity, create diverse secondary
network paths, and safeguard district operations from connectivity disruption.
To maximize purchasing power and reduce overall cost, DIIT pursued funding through
the federal E-Rate program administered by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC). DCSD qualifies for a 90% reimbursement, allowing the district to
secure essential services at a fraction of the full commercial cost while supporting
equitable access to digital learning.
Planning and bid evaluation included a detailed review of fiber routes, redundancy
models, bidder responses, and one- and multi-year cost impacts. The project resulted in
three distinct service components, each serving a different operational purpose.
Key Partners and Services
The following services and partners will support the district’s network connectivity and
resiliency needs. Costs will be finalized upon award:
Zayo- $37,500 Dark Fiber (District Cost $3,750)
• Provides the physical fiber path between the DCSD data center and the Internet
exchange point
• Supports connectivity for instructional platforms, assessments, student devices, and
business systems
• Selected as the lowest total evaluated cost based on recurring lease, equipment, and
maintenance analysis
Cogent- $99,999.00 Internet Access 100Gb (District Cost $9,999.90)
• Increases Internet bandwidth capacity to support instructional and operational
demand
• Provides resilient Internet connectivity in the event of failure of the PeachNet state
circuit
• Helps prevent districtwide service degradation caused by high utilization
AT&T- $1,253,374.32 Lit Fiber Network (District Cost $125,337.43)
• Establishes an independent secondary network connection to each school
• Protects instruction and business functions from unplanned outages or fiber cuts
• Supports continuous operations at AIC, Sam Moss, and WBBBC even during primary
network disruption
Together, these services provide a layered approach to reliability: dark fiber enables
Internet access, 100Gb Internet expands capacity and resiliency, and lit fiber ensures
continuity of operations in the event of network disruption. These three components are
complementary—not duplicative—and form a unified strategy to safeguard teaching,
learning, and business services across the district.
This will allow the district to continue strengthening its digital infrastructure while
minimizing financial impact. By combining E-Rate funding with a comprehensive
resiliency approach, DCSD can support continuous access to digital resources,
preserve business continuity, and ensure a stable, future-ready network for all schools.
Financial Impact:
Project Total Cost District Cost Total Savings
(without E-rate (with 90% E-rate
discount) discount)
Zayo- Dark Fiber $37,500 $3,750 $23,750
Cogent- 100gb $99,999 $9,999.90 $89,999.10
Internet Access
AT&T- Lit Fiber $1,253,374.32 $125,337.43 $1,128,036.89
Total $1,390,873.32 $139,087.33 $1,251,785.99