Bigfork schools receive high tech upgrade for online connectivity

Bigfork Schools are getting a technology upgrade.

The district’s board of trustees approved a yearly contract with Montana Sky last week. This will result in an upgrade and replacement of the wireless microwave technology in use at the schools with a connection to the new fiber optic line that recently was built in the area.

“Our system’s been band-aided for a lot of years,” district clerk Eda Taylor said.

Superintendent Cynthia Clary said the district added a lot of technology the last three years, but it was added to an antiquated system. Connectivity became an issue.

The fiber optic line will provide more bandwidth and a faster system when the connection is made this week, Clary said.

“It removes any limitations on using services that make education better,” said Troy Waller, a partner with  Montana Sky. “It’s the end game as far as connectivity is concerned.”

The district will be spending an additional $1,360 a month on the technology, Taylor said. The old service was priced at $3,338 a month whereas the new contract is $4,698.

The cost difference will be paid for with federal and state funding sources, Taylor said. “It’s important enough for us that we make this move that we will find the money to do it,” she said.

Montana Sky waived $28,900 in costs associated with the upgrade. “We’re really all about education first,” Waller said. “I’m interested in the community because my kids go there.”

The district will be paying $35,464 for new phone equipment through safety upgrades allowed in SB348, a new state law that deals with school safety upgrades, Taylor said.

Caleb Soptelean can be reached at reporter@bigforkeagle.com.