Local schools make plans for own broadband (IEN Options)

Despite CenturyLink’s threat, both districts say students in the area will not be affected.

“We were concerned to think, OK what happens if the Internet goes dark?” Dr. Chuck Shackett said.

District 93’s primary source of broadband now comes from the city of Ammon.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Shackett says this boosts the local economy.

“(With) IEN going down, it creates a better environment within our local community where we are using local providers and so I think it’s a positive for us,” Shackett said.

Ammon Mayor Dana Kirkham said the city is glad to lend a helping hand.

“I think it’s just something we do in the spirit of collaboration, and I think that’s always important because when we talk about the school district and the city it’s all the same people, and so anytime we can keep costs down it benefits everyone involved,” Kirkham said.

She said the IEN crisis puts a focus on local government.

“This is always an argument for local control so whenever you have local control, then you aren’t at the mercy of the decisions being made higher up the ladder and so this is one of those instances where you see that being played out,” Kirkham said.

District 93 isn’t the only one in good shape.

Justin Hurley of the Idaho Falls school district said the district has always had a secondary Internet source. Now, officials just have to make the switch

“We’ve taken the measures that we need to to make sure that the service to the kids won’t be affected and so we’ve been working with local vendors to maintain the service that we need for our district,” Hurley said.

The $5 million that the state set aside to pay on the voided contract will be used to help districts find local broadband providers.

The state will use those funds to pay for Internet service until June 30.