Idaho Schools Wi-Fi Contract May Cost More

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The $2.1 million contract the Idaho Department of Education signed Wednesday with a Tennessee company for wireless Wi-Fi service in high schools may cost more per-school than deals districts negotiate themselves.

But state officials now say the price tag doesn't tell the whole story. For instance, the Coeur d'Alene School District projected to spend $5,666 annually on Wi-Fi at each of its three high schools. Idaho's per-school cost could run four times that, or $23,000, on average, based on 93 schools that so far have joined the pact with Nashville-based Education Networks of America.

Luna's office predicts more schools will participate, reducing per-school costs. And he also contends ENA must manage networks not only in modern, urban schools, but also aging buildings in Idaho's hinterlands where it may cost more.