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| 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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