Canutillo ISD launches $4 million fiber network to strengthen connectivity across District

The Canutillo Independent School District is taking a major step toward strengthening the technology infrastructure that supports its students, teachers and employees with the launch of a new private fiber Wide Area Network (WAN) that will deliver faster, more reliable and more secure connectivity across the District.

The approximately $4 million project, being delivered through a partnership between UDT and WANRack, will connect Canutillo ISD schools and facilities through a modern fiber-optic network designed to meet the growing technology demands of teaching, learning and District operations.

The new network will provide students and employees with faster and more reliable access to digital learning tools, online resources and other technology-dependent services. The upgraded infrastructure also will improve network security and reliability, helping Canutillo ISD maintain stable connectivity as the District's technology needs continue to grow.

“What a terrific day for our District, our teachers and our students,” Superintendent Dr. Josue Borrego said. “With this new network, we will provide our students and faculty with an incredible level of connectivity that they did not have previously. Our students deserve the tools necessary to succeed in the classroom and achieve great things, and I am honored that we are able to provide them. I thank UDT and WANRack for bringing this industry-leading innovation to Canutillo.”

The project is being fully funded through the federal E-Rate program, which provides funding to schools and libraries to modernize telecommunications and internet infrastructure. The federal funding allows Canutillo ISD to make this significant investment without relying on local tax dollars.

“This partnership and investment will help CISD build a modern and secure network infrastructure to support the growing demands of teaching, learning and District operations,” said Andrea Kaufman, Service Provider Solutions consultant with UDT. “Technology is not an add-on to education. It is an essential part of today’s learning environment. CISD teachers and students will now have a fast, reliable network that will make it easier to teach and learn. We are proud to support them.”

The new fiber network also will provide the District with the capacity and scalability needed to support future technology initiatives. As digital learning, online assessments and emerging technologies become increasingly important components of education, the infrastructure supporting those tools must keep pace.

“Canutillo ISD is making an important investment in digital infrastructure that will greatly accelerate connections between classrooms, schools and District facilities,” said Jack Maddox, director of business development for WANRack. “This investment will result in a new fiber-optic network that significantly improves the speed, reliability and security of CISD’s connectivity. The technology demands on schools will only continue to increase, and Canutillo is now positioned to see that growth as an opportunity for better learning rather than a challenge.”

Construction and installation of the new network is expected to be completed by summer 2027.

Once complete, the network will become an important part of the District’s long-term efforts to provide students and employees with the technology infrastructure they need to learn, work and succeed.

For Canutillo ISD, the investment represents more than faster internet. It is an investment in the future of teaching and learning and another step toward providing students with the world-class educational opportunities they deserve.