HCPS FL Logo Information and Technology
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, April 29, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approval is Requested to Spend the District Bandwidth Support Grant Funds (Information and Technology Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval is requested to spend the District Bandwidth Support Grant funds designated to ensure schools have adequate bandwidth capacity for the implementation and usage of instructional technology and the administration of online assessments.

Funds in Senate Bill 1500 – 2013 General Appropriations, Specific Appropriation 102A are provided for the acquisition of additional bandwidth capacity as determined from the results of the 2012-2013 Department of Education Technology Resources Survey.  The total funding amount allotted for all Florida districts is $11,328,468.  Hillsborough was allocated $1,267,822 based on the Public School Funding District Bandwidth Support Fiscal Year 2013-2014. The district applied for, and was awarded, the full allocation for Hillsborough. 

In order to meet the State’s “minimum bandwidth per standard” identified for Hillsborough County Public Schools, the district is required to support more than 15 Gbps of aggregated Internet bandwidth capacity.  The district’s current core infrastructure is capable of supporting a maximum capacity of 3-10 Gbps, depending on the device.  The grant stipulated districts that are unable to support the additional bandwidth capacity for the 2013-14 fiscal year, will be authorized to use its portion of the funds to purchase network bandwidth infrastructure.  The district’s intention is to use the funding prior to June 30, 2014, to increase our network infrastructure and support the higher bandwidth standard before our maximum capacity is reached.   Executive Summary continued on Attachment A.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
All Strategic Objectives
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Approval is to not exceed the total grant allocation of $1,267,822.  Funds of $1,267,822 have been received and made available in Project 2622 – District Bandwidth Support.
EVALUATION
The infrastructure capacity and utilization is continually monitored by the Information Services staff.
SUBMITTED BY:  Richard E. Laneau, Jr., Data Center Manager, Information Services
Anna L. Brown, Ed.D., Chief Information and Technology Officer   Gretchen Saunders

  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.18
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20140429_631 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.18