Mineola school trustees took steps Monday to participate in a federal program that reduces technology costs.

The board voted to pursue funds from the E-Rate program that will pay up to 80% of the cost of extending fiber-optic cable to the new primary school campus and much of the technology to wire the building for internet services.

The board sought bids for those two items and approved the low bidders as part of the application process.

The total cost is $350,000 to extend the district’s fiber-optic line from its current campuses on W. Loop 564 to the new campus on NE Loop 564. Sky Rider provided the bid.

The interior technology bid was $248,000 by Synergy Technology.

The district would be responsible for 20% of those costs.

Following that approval the board conducted a training session that focused on board polices and procedures, the superintendent’s annual performance evaluation and a board self-evaluation.

It was conducted by Rhonda Crass of law firm Leasor Crass.

She described the superintendent evaluation as a communication tool, not a “gotcha” tool.