Fiber line to North Winneshiek School wins approval

The Decorah School Board has approved a yearly contract with Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company for a dark fiber line from Decorah to the North Winneshiek School.

Decorah Schools Technology Director Kurt DeVore says the fiber line will help to provide Internet, wireless and telephone service to the building while "reducing those costs significantly."

The building is still being used by the Decorah School District's Homeschool Assistance Program (HSAP) and several buses get parked on the North Winneshiek property.  The building is also used occasionally for community activities, especially the gym.

DeVore says the cost of the fiber line will qualify for a 60 percent Federal Communications Commission grant, which will reduce the overall net cost to around $1,500.