School board approves new fiber technology contract

In a special-call meeting Monday, March 21, the Madison Board of Education approved a new technology fiber contract from In-Line, a company that would connect Central Office’s computer system to all the city’s schools.

Starting April 1, 2012, In-Line will replace the board’s current fiber connecting company, Norlight, which has been with the system for five years.

Katrina Allen, technology coordinator, said the system couldn’t legally accept Norlight’s bid because she did not receive the bid by the deadline, which was at 8:59 a.m. Monday, March 21.

“We wanted to give them every opportunity for them to be considered, but it would have not been legal for us to open or consider their bid,” Allen said.

Allen said Norlight’s package was delivered Friday, March 18 to Central Office, but no one was available to accept the package because of spring break, so it was sent back until 9:43 a.m., almost an hour past the deadline cutoff.

Allen told the board Norlight had an ample amount of time to send the package before spring break.

The new contract with In-Line will cost $195,000 each year, along with a one-time set-up cost of $32,000.

Norlight’s contract is set to expire in March of 2012.

“We have a quandary here, but I do think we have a good solution,” said Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler regarding the new contract. “This is a good company and the price looks good.”