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HOW TO:
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Create an E-Rate binder (for each year!):
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STATE E-RATE CONTACTS:
State E-rate Coordinator for Schools: Melinda Stanley / mstanley@ksde.org
State E-rate Coordinator for Libraries: Jeff Hixon / jeffh@kslib.info
KanEd Consortium E-rate Contact: Jerry Huff / jhuff@ksbor.org
ERATE LISTSERV
To subscribe to receive the Kansas K-12 E-rate News, send an e-mail to take@ksde.org with your name, email address and school district number.
For Documents Posted to the Erate Listserv--CLICK HERE!!
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Help Desk of the Schools and Library Division: 888.203.8100
Toll-Free E-rate Hotline for Kansas Schools & Libraries:
Phone #: 866-372-8302 (866-ERATE02)
Hours: M-F 8:00am to 5:00pm
Staffed by Dietrich Lockard Group (DLG). All E-Rate related questions will be handled.
DLG's KS E-rate Website: http://www.dietrichlockard.com/subpages/KS-E--rate-Services/
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Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Web site: "The Universal Service Fund for Schools and Libraries, popularly known as the 'E-rate,' provides all public and private schools and libraries access to affordable telecommunications and advanced technologies. The E-rate means that the rate or level schools and libraries pay for services (telecommunications services, Internet Access and internal connections) is discounted. Discounts are based on the number of students eligible for the National Free Lunch Program. For schools not participating in the National School Lunch Program, use the SLD Alternative Discount Mechanisms to compute your discount.
The E-rate provides discounts of 20% to 90% on the cost of telecommunications, Internet Access, and Internal Connections within school and library buildings. Schools and libraries in low-income urban communities and rural areas qualify for the highest discounts. In order to receive E-rate discounts, schools and libraries must competitively bid all eligible services on the Schools & Library Division (SLD, the program administrator) website and after a minimum of 28 days, select the most cost effective proposal. E-rate discounts are then requested by applying to the SLD and if discounts are approved, they are provided to schools and libraries via directly discounted bills, or a reimbursement process after services have been provided. The SLD publishes an annual Elibigle Services List. for applicants.
Since 1998, Kansas's schools and libraries have received more than $88 million in E-rate discounts while all eligible schools and libraries nationwide have received more than $14.6 billion. For official E-rate guidance, visit the Universal Service Company’s Schools and Library Division (SLD) website at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/ .
Who administers the program?
The Universal Service Program is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). This not-for-profit corporation was appointed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that the benefits of telecommunications services reach students and communities across the country."
The Schools and Libraries Division Web Site is available at:
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/
The TAKE office at the Kansas State Department is happy to assist you with any questions you may have or you may call the Client Service Bureau of the Schools and Library Division at 888.203.8100.
E-Rate Process
Once you receive your letter of commitment, the following process occurs:
E-Rate News
In order to provide Kansas schools and libraries with updated information concerning E-rate program updates, changes, filing reminders, funding announcements, and news, the Kansas Department of Education maintains an active one-way listserve. Typically, 3-5 messages are sent per month, depending on program activity. To subscribe to the Kansas E-rate News Listserv, send an e-mail to take@ksde.org with your name, district number and email address.