Idaho Broadband Contract Ruled Illegal

Declo High School logo
Declo High School is one of many places affected by a lawsuit
brought against the state regarding a broadband internet deal.
Image:  http://www.cassiaschools.org/declohs
Idaho has now paid about $870,000 of legal fees in the battle to defend a statewide contract for the Idaho Education Network high school broadband service.

4th District Judge Patrick Owen voided the $60 million contract earlier this week based on a 2009 lawsuit brought against Idaho by Syringa Networks.  The judge ruled that the contract was issued illegally, as it was changed after initial bids to ensure that Qwest got the contract instead of Syringa.

The state has brought in a private attorney, Merlyn Clark of Hawley Troxell, but has not confirmed what future steps it will take.

In the meantime, the fate of the broadband and video-conferencing network used to procive distance learning opportunities to students throughout the state is in question.  The effects have been particularly catastrophic for rural schools like Declo High School, where students rely on the network to complete a state-required math course in order to graduate.  Fifty-seven out of 84 seniors make use of the system for this purpose.

"That's the part that frustrates me,” said Declo Principal Roland Bott.  “I just feel bad that young people's lives are potentially at risk because adults made wrong choices.  I don't think that's fair. And we can't be the only school to be going through this."
Bott added that the school, which serves roughly 300 students, uses distance education because it is unable to hire enough qualified teachers.  There is no back up plan to deal with the potentially permanent loss of the broadband network.
As state officials and community members urge a quick resolution to the issue, the state could very well have to pay $15 million to the Federal Communication Commission, which originally helped pay for part of the now-defunct contract.

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