Speedier network at low cost

The internet network at Sidney Public Schools is top of the line thanks to donations from several companies, including Cabela's.

“Cabela's has always been a good partner for the schools,” said Superintendent of Sidney Public Schools, Jay Ehler.

Cabela’s donated about $250,000 in equipment for infrastructure updates to the school's network. Additionally, Cabela's employees donated more than 1,800 of their personal time to this project. Ehler acknowledged that the Cabela's IT department put a lot of time into the project, while the Sidney Public Schools IT department did the same.

Although Sidney's old network was good, in Ehler's opinion, the new network was a step up.

“It improved speed, security and wifi capability,” he said.

Cisco, GTRI, Sunset Learning and Great Plains Communications all partnered with Cabela's to complete the project at a cost of $143,000 to the school district, while the upgrades would have cost $1.8 million at full price.

Sidney Public Schools are grateful to all companies and individuals who donated their time and equipment, Ehler said.

“These upgrades make Sidney Public Schools the most technologically advanced school in western Nebraska,” said Cabela's network engineer Erik Fritzler in a press release. “We are pleased with the result and truly grateful for this opportunity to give back to our great community.”

Cabela’s IT personnel developed the plan for this project in August 2013 when they noticed the company would have to decommission a large quantity of state-of-the-art equipment that was undersized for its needs.

Cabela's soon began negotiations with the school in order to avoid wasting the equipment. The network allows many new opportunities for Sidney Public Schools.

“It now supports advanced services such as video conferencing, IP telephony and a three-tier wireless system that supports students, staff and guest access,” the press release stated.

Cisco provided additional equipment at a 90 percent discount, while GTRI took care of the quotes and purchasing agreement for the project. District staff were provide two free weeks of training by Sunset Learning on the new network so they can maintain it themselves. Great Plains Communications will supply $15,000 in repairs to the district’s fiber-optic lines to the elementary schools for no charge.

“It was all just a great thing for Sidney Public Schools,” Ehler said.

Installation of the new network began on July 20 and ended July 27.

“This improvement at Sidney Public Schools is a direct result of the positive relationship we have with Cabela’s,” Ehler said in the press release. “Our students, teachers, administrators and school board appreciate all the work that was involved.”