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E-Rate Program Updates November 2011

E-Rate Program Updates November 2011. Mary Mehsikomer TIES Technology Integration Development & Outreach Facilitator Minnesota E-rate Coordinator for Schools (651) 999-6510 mary.mehsikomer@ties.k12.mn.us. Agenda. Eligible Services Equipment Transfers and Disposal

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E-Rate Program Updates November 2011

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  1. E-Rate Program Updates November 2011 Mary Mehsikomer TIES Technology Integration Development & Outreach Facilitator Minnesota E-rate Coordinator for Schools (651) 999-6510 mary.mehsikomer@ties.k12.mn.us TIES

  2. Agenda • Eligible Services • Equipment Transfers and Disposal • Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts • CIPA • E-Rate Website Tools – Cindy Olson, ARCC TIES

  3. Things to Remember – Eligible Services • Telecommunications services can only be provided by an eligible telecommunications carrier • Telecommunications can be provided by non-telecommunications carriers on fiber in whole or in part TIES

  4. Leased Dark Fiber • Leased dark fiber is not breakfast cereal coated in chocolate • Leased dark fiber is Priority 1 • Added in Fund Year 11 • On Form 470 file for both Telecommunications and Internet Access • On Form 471 select the Telecommunications check box if provided by a telecommunications carrier • Otherwise select Internet access check box TIES

  5. Leased Dark Fiber (continued) • Dark fiber MUST be lit immediately • Does NOT allow for unneeded capacity or warehoused dark fiber for future use • Maintenance cost and installation costs to hook it up are eligible – within property line • Modulating electronics are not eligible • Installation costs between eligible buildings not crossing a pubic right of way are Internal Connections TIES

  6. Equipment Transfers & Disposal • Equipment cannot be transferred for money or anything else of value, like goats • No-cost transfer may occur three years or more after purchase to other eligible entities • No transfer may be made prior to three years unless an eligible facility is closing TIES

  7. Equipment Transfer – What to do? • If less than 3 years notify USAC • Retain records of the transaction • Keep records for five years after the date of the transfer • Records for equipment under 3 years follow traditional e-rate document retention requirements TIES

  8. Equipment Disposal • Only five years after installation • Resale is allowable but not sooner than five years after installation • Resale or disposal is prohibited before five years • Trade-ins or exchanges OK after five years • Equipment not funded through E-rate – follow local regulations TIES

  9. Gifts • For more detail see the 43 slides USAC has prepared on this subject at http://www.usac.org/sl/about/training-sessions/training-2011/fall/presentations.aspx • Applies to anyone in a school district who touches the E-rate process • Limited to $20 per time, $50 per year • Does not include gifts given as a result of a personal friendship from non-company funds TIES

  10. And more on gifts • Allows for charitable contributions – if not directly or indirectly related to E-rate activities • Gift rules apply all the time, not just during procurement cycles • Do not solicit gifts • Do look gift horses in the mouth and do not accept them if they are worth more than $20 TIES

  11. There’s more • Charitable donations OK as long as they are not directly or indirectly related to E-rate procurement • Are not given with purpose of circumventing E-rate rules • Equipment OK in some cases – as long as it doesn’t require purchase of more E-rate services and serves educational purpose TIES

  12. Oh no! They gave me a gift what do I do? • Give it back or • Pay for it TIES

  13. And yes, still more • Raffle tickets or door prizes over $20 violate gift rules unless event is free of charge and open to the public • Service providers can offer an educational discount on events as long as it is available to everyone in the school or library • Widely attended events TIES

  14. CIPA • Amend existing Internet Safety/Acceptable Use policies to provide for education of minors about online behavior, Internet safety, and cyberbullying by July 1, 2012 – document it • Internet Safety Policy – one public hearing – document it • Internet Filter – make sure it is installed and working and you have paperwork to show purchase TIES

  15. Questions? Call USAC/SLD at 1-888-203-8100 And/or for general help, Contact Mary Mehsikomer Minnesota E-Rate Coordinator - Schools (651) 999-6510 mary.mehsikomer@ties.k12.mn.us TIES

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