Idaho school districts are saving the state millions of dollars after being forced to negotiate their own broadband services to replace a state contract deemed illegal earlier this year.
State budget writers approved allocating $6.3 million on Monday to fund school broadband services for one more year.
The amount is based on data provided to the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee showing that most schools have negotiated their own contracts at much lower rates than the state did when it was in charge of the now obsolete Idaho Education Network.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter had recommended approving $10.5 million for the network in fiscal 2016.
The appropriation must still pass through both chambers in the Idaho Legislature. Under the legislation, schools would have to request reimbursement after finalizing a broadband contract.
