K-12 Schools

The SCI was established in 2007 to expand the number of schools with broadband internet access, further develop communication networks for rural and under-performing schools, aid in professional development for technology staff, and develop a scalable model to maintain and enhance network services to all schools in North Carolina. It includes four primary programs.

1) Maintain a Governance Structure and Funding Plan to manage the SCI and provide funding support for LEA and charter school broadband Internet access. (In 2015, SCI funding was extended to include internal connections for schools, e.g. local area networks, wireless local area networks, and cabling.)
2) Maintain an E-Rate Filing Assistance Bureau — E-Rate consulting services supporting LEAs and charter schools.
3) Expand MCNC’s network, NCREN, to connect to all 115 LEAs and participating charter schools.
4) Maintain Client Network Engineering (CNE) Services — Network consulting services for LEAs and charter schools.

These programs are delivered through collaboration among MCNC, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, and the N.C. Department of Information Technology. MCNC has lead responsibility for providing two of the four critical programs which comprise the SCI: broadband connectivity services and Client Network Engineering services.

In addition to the SCI’s primary programs above, via MCNC’s agreement with NCDPI, public K-12 sites receive at no additional charge: Enhanced DDoS Protection, Activity Vulnerability Analysis, Web Security Service, Network Consulting, Security Consulting and Advisory Services. The remaining MCNC services are available to K-12 across the state at discount pricing including data center and collaboration services. See the “Did You Know” document in the resources section below.