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E-Rate Basics

E-Rate Basics. Presentation to the Technology Oversight Committee August 26, 2009. What is E-Rate?. Federal program administered by the FCC and Administered by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) and the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD)

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E-Rate Basics

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  1. E-Rate Basics Presentation to the Technology Oversight Committee August 26, 2009

  2. What is E-Rate? • Federal program administered by the FCC and Administered by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) and the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) • Fund comes from taxes levied on telecommunication services • Intended to ensure that schools/libraries have access to affordable telecommunications by providing discounts on telecommunications, Internet Access, and Internal connections.

  3. Funding to support technology • District Budget -Maintenance and Operations • E-Rate • Building Renewal • Bond • Other • Technology override • Grants

  4. Historical Context • 1998 - First year for E-Rate • 1998/99 – 2002/03 - Successful E-Rate applications submitted by TUSD TTS • 2003/04- 2006/07 - Unsuccessful E-Rate applications submitted by TUSD TTS • 2006/07 – AG investigation

  5. Historical Context • 2007/08 – TUSD process for E-Rate applications revised • Office of Resource Development Coordinates E-RATE process • Use of E-Rate Consultant to ensure a compliant process and application • Use of multi-department team: Purchasing, Curriculum, Facilities, TTS • Development of Technology Infrastructure Plan as part of broader Educational Based Technology Plan • Survey of Teachers, students, parents, community 3000+ responses • Identified needs and desired outcomes • Gap Analysis between what we have and what we want • Plan for bridging the gap • Proposed infrastructure standards for classrooms and schools • Governing Board approved Standards for Infrastructure August 2007 • E-Rate application is aligned to approved Infrastructure Standards

  6. Historical Context • 2007/08 - Application in Final Review • 2008/09 - Application in Initial Review* • Applications can go in and out of Initial Review at anytime before a funding commitment decision letter is issued • 2009/2010 – Application in Initial Review

  7. Who does E-Rate fund? • K-12 schools and school districts – defined as an elementary or secondary school under NCLB • Libraries- eligible under LSTA

  8. What does E-Rate fund? • Priority 1 – (funded first) • Telecommunications Services • Telephone, cell phones, long distance, WAN • Internet Access • Priority 2 – (funded with neediest applicants first) • Internal Connections • Equipment and wiring necessary to receive services in the classrooms and rooms in libraries – published list of eligible items • Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections • Necessary for continued operations of eligible internal connection components

  9. How much does E-Rate fund? E-Rate provides discounts on eligible services or equipment based on percentage of student eligible for free or reduced lunch under NSLP • District wide services (Priority 1) – discount is generally based on weighted student FRE count for the district • TUSD – Discount for 2009-2010 application 76%

  10. E-Rate Discount 75% - 100% of students FRE 48 TUSD schools 50%-74% of students eligible for FRE 42 TUSD schools 35% -49% of students eligible for FRE 9 TUSD schools 20% -34% of students eligible for FRE 11 TUSD schools 1% -19% of students eligible for FRE 5 TUSD schools 90% Discount 80% Discount 60% Discount 50% Discount 25% Discount

  11. How much does E-Rate fund? • Priority 2 – Internal connections • Discount is based on where the equipment is located • If located at a school with a 90% discount – the cost of the equipment is 90% discounted • If located at district level, discount is district weighted discount (76%) • Highly unlikely that Internal connections are funded below the 90% level

  12. E-Rate application process • Create Technology Plan • Must be approved by a USAC certified approver (ADE) • Request Services • Form 470 – Either district files or state if using SMC • RFP - Special FCC rules –more restrictive than AZ • Competitive Bidding • Choose/Contract for Services (From 471) • FCC rules about how bid evaluation is conducted • Application development & Funding Commitments • Governing Board must commit applicant share and necessary but ineligible costs

  13. E-Rate application process • Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) • Approved for funding • Denied • Appeal • Start services • Invoice USAC

  14. E-Rate Planning • Tentative Plan for Year 13 (2010/11) • Sept – Planning with E-RATE Team • Updates for Infrastructure Plan • File 470s – RFPs for necessary services • Oct – Complete competitive bidding • Nov – Presentation to Governing Board on recommendations • Dec - Presentation to Governing Board to approve bids, contracts and request commitment of applicant share and necessary but not eligible funding; Begin filing process • January – Complete applications End of Jan/early Feb - Close of filing window

  15. Questions?

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