Broadband Mess Jeopardizes $245M

The latest worst-case scenario for the Idaho Education Network carries a startling price tag: about $245 million. That represents the federal funding that could be on the line, if the state doesn’t figure out how to keep its high school broadband system online by the end of the month. “We need to find a path forward in the very near future,” said John Goedde, Gov. Butch Otter’s adviser on the Idaho Education Network contract and funding mess. Goedde dropped the $245 million figure Tuesday afternoon, during a meeting of the network’s Program Resource Advisory Council. The council, known as IPRAC, was established by the Legislature to oversee the network’s day-to-day operations/ Kevin Richert , IDEDNEWS.org. More here.

Question: Do you think Goedde & Otter administration is bluffing here? Playing Chicken Little?