Board Approves $479,000 Wireless Network Overhaul to Replace Aging Tech

Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: The Board of Education approved a $479,526.96 contract with CDW to replace the indoor wireless access points across all district buildings, leveraging federal E-Rate funding to offset approximately 40% of the cost. The upgrade will replace equipment purchased in 2019 that no longer supports the latest Wi-Fi standards.

Wireless Infrastructure Key Points:

• Vendor: CDW was selected over competitors Qubit Networks and Sentinel Technologies.

• Total Cost: $479,526.96 for hardware, licensing, and installation services.

• Technology: The project utilizes Juniper AI Mist platform access points to align with the district’s wired network.

• Timeline: Ordering can begin April 1, 2026, with installation expected in the summer or fall of 2026.

NEW LENOX – Students and staff at Lincoln-Way District 210 will see improved connectivity next school year after the Board of Education voted on Thursday, February 19, 2026, to approve a major refresh of the district’s indoor wireless network.

The Board unanimously approved a proposal from CDW to provide Juniper wireless access points and professional installation services at a total cost of $479,526.96.

Director of Technology Cheryl Kay explained that the current access points, purchased in 2019, are aging and unable to support the latest advancements in Wi-Fi technology. The district issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in December 2025 and received three bids.

Kay recommended CDW not only for competitive pricing but for technical compatibility. “The CDW proposal leverages the district’s recent investment in the Juniper AI Mist platform and provides a single management plane for managing our wired and wireless networks,” Kay said.

The project is eligible for the federal E-Rate program, which subsidizes telecommunications and internet access for schools. Kay noted the district expects to receive approximately 40% reimbursement on the project costs.

While the RFP included options for outdoor wireless access, the administration opted to move forward only with the indoor portion at this time.

“We are proposing a small-scale pilot first to confirm compatibility with all of our devices… before committing to a large-scale implementation” for outdoor areas, Kay told the Board.

Due to federal E-Rate rules, the district cannot place the official order until April 1, 2026. Kay estimated that equipment delivery could take three to four months, positioning the installation as a potential summer or fall project.