New worst-case scenario laid out for senators on IEN funding debacle

There’s a new worst-case scenario for the Idaho Education Network e-rate funds debacle: If the feds decide Idaho granted the multimillion-dollar contract for the IEN improperly, the state could not only have to pay back the $13.3 million in federal e-rate funds it’s already received for the project – it could be denied any such funds in the future, even with a newly re-bid contract, reports Idaho Education News. “They have the ability to debar the state,” Merlyn Clark, attorney for the state in the case, told the Senate Education Committee Monday, during a hearing on the IEN and its funding problems. That would be on top of the $6.6 million in state general funds lawmakers already committed this year to make up for the lost e-rate funds, and possibly another $7.3 million they’re still mulling. Senators grilled Clark, state Department of Administration Director Teresa Luna and other officials during the hearing; you can read reporter Kevin Richert’s full report here at idahoednews.org.