From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Mon Mar 2 14:15:55 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2015 22:15:55 +0000 Subject: [Erate] E-Rate Central News for the Week of March 2, 2015 Message-ID: Please see the attached newsletter for articles on: * Funding Status: Funding waves for FY 2013 and FY 2014 are scheduled this week. * Discount Rate Calculation Issues: * Update on Districts and Charter Schools * Educational Service Agencies * Community Eligibility Provision Schools * E-Rate Updates and Reminders: * FY 2015 Form 471 Application Window * FCC Appeal Decision Watch * S&L News Brief Dated February 27 - FY 2015 FAQs: USAC's latest News Brief poses and answers a series of frequently asked questions ("FAQs") on the FY 2015 application process. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Week 03-02 - SECA.doc Type: application/msword Size: 119296 bytes Desc: Week 03-02 - SECA.doc URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Wed Mar 11 11:52:10 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2015 18:52:10 +0000 Subject: [Erate] E-Rate Central News for the Week of March 9, 2015 Message-ID: Please see the attached newsletter for articles on: * Funding Status: Funding waves for FY 2013 and FY 2014 are scheduled this week. * Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections - Application Update: Pending guidance from USAC and/or the FCC, there are several approaches applicants to take to provide additional funding flexibility to cover maintenance expenses as incurred. * E-Rate Updates and Reminders: * FY 2015 Form 471 Application Window * Multi-Year License Clarification * S&L News Brief Dated March 6 - Preparing to File Form 471: USAC's latest News Brief reviews the basic information required in a Form 471. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Week 03-09 - SECA.doc Type: application/msword Size: 94720 bytes Desc: Week 03-09 - SECA.doc URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Thu Mar 12 14:09:54 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:09:54 +0000 Subject: [Erate] USAC/FCC Extends the Filing Window for 3 additional weeks. Message-ID: While this does provide some stress relief, I strongly, emphatically recommend that you not delay your filing unless you have to. If you can file, do so as soon as you are ready. If you need extra time for data entry or are waiting for additional guidance from USAC, this extension will take some of that pressure off. That said, be warned that the USAC system is still unstable, and may not be able to handle a huge influx of last minute filers. I can also say with 99% certainty that they WILL NOT extend this window again, so if they have technical issues on the last day to file, don't be surprised if they tell you "tough luck". DON'T WAIT! :) As always, I'm here if you need help. 3/12/2015 - FY2015 Application Filing Window Deadline Extended New close date for the FY2015 filing window: April 16, 2015, at 11:59:59 PM EDT In response to a reasonable request from our nation's largest school districts, USAC, in consultation with the FCC, has extended the FY2015 application filing window for three additional weeks. The application filing window will now close on April 16, 2015, instead of the original date of March 26, 2015. FCC Form 471 applications must be submitted on or before 11:59:59 PM EDT on Thursday, April 16, 2015, to be considered in-window. For more information, see today's Special Edition News Brief. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Fri Mar 13 16:17:08 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2015 23:17:08 +0000 Subject: [Erate] OPEN IMMEDIATELY! - Important info regarding e-rate support and the new deadline. Message-ID: I am scheduled to take a 3-4 week medical leave beginning April 8th. This was scheduled based on the assumption that the filing window would close on March 26th. As of yesterday, USAC extended the deadline to April 16th. I am not able to reschedule my medical leave, therefor I will not be available to provide e-Rate support for the last week of the filing window. As I mentioned in my notice about the extension, I do not recommend that applicants wait until the last minute to file if they can possibly avoid it. Under the circumstances if you can't file your forms by the original March deadline, I strongly encourage you to try and get your forms filed before April 7th. If you are not able to do so, and need e-Rate assistance after April 7th, you will need to contact USAC Client Services directly. I will make sure that my email autoreply includes their contact information along with any other resources that may be helpful during that time. Let's keep up the momentum we have now and get our forms in early! Then we'll only have taxes to worry about... ;) Have a great weekend! Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Tue Mar 17 09:46:40 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:46:40 +0000 Subject: [Erate] E-Rate Central News for the Week of March 16, 2015 Message-ID: Please see the attached newsletter for articles on: * Funding Status: One funding wave for FY 2014 is scheduled this week. * FY 2015 Form 471 Application Window Extended: Three weeks to April 16, 2015. * Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections - Special Edition New Brief Dated March 10: New guidance from USAC provides an easier procedure for requesting BMIC funding on a school-by-school basis. * E-Rate Updates and Reminders: * Updated Information on CEP * S&L News Brief Dated March 13 - FAQs on Category 2 Budgets: USAC's latest News Brief provides a series of questions and answers on Category 2 budgets. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Week 03-16 - SECA.doc Type: application/msword Size: 88576 bytes Desc: Week 03-16 - SECA.doc URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Mon Mar 23 13:30:26 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:30:26 +0000 Subject: [Erate] E-Rate Central News for the Week of March 23, 2015 Message-ID: FYI, Willamette ESD is closed this week for Spring Break, but I'm working and available via email, so don't hesitate to contact me if you need help. :) Please see the attached newsletter for articles on: * Funding Status: One funding wave for FY 2014 is scheduled this week. * Category 2 Budget Management - Recurring vs. Non-Recurring Expenses: The new Category 2 budgeting process places a premium on early funding for all schools and libraries, if only for recurring services. * E-Rate Updates and Reminders: * FY 2015 Form 471 application window closes April 16th * S&L News Brief Dated March 20 - Myths, Enhancements, and FAQs: USAC's latest News Brief discusses a CIPA filtering myth, enhancements to the online Form 471 system, and additional answers on Category 2 budget questions. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Week 03-23 - SECA.doc Type: application/msword Size: 84480 bytes Desc: Week 03-23 - SECA.doc URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Tue Mar 24 16:39:30 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 23:39:30 +0000 Subject: [Erate] New guidance for districts and charter schools from the Oregon Department of Education. Message-ID: As most of you are aware, starting in funding year 2015 e-Rate applicants must include all schools within the district/ESD on their form 471 discount calculation regardless of whether they are receiving e-Rate discounted services or not. This has caused quite a bit of confusion, as the FCC and USAC gave conflicting and often vague information about this new rule, especially in regards to charter schools. Recently the SLD stated that they would allow the states to decide whether certain types of schools should be added to district and ESD applications. After a careful review of e-Rate rules our State charter school specialist Kate Pattison, in cooperation with our State e-Rate coordinator Amy McLaughlin, has released the attached guidance regarding charter school inclusion in district or ESD level applications. This guidance describes clear circumstances under which a district or ESD would exempt from the requirement to add a charter school to their application. That said, this guidance does not in any way prevent a district or ESD from adding a charter school to their application if they wish to. This guidance will also assist us in responding to charter school entity certifications stemming from the e-Rate PIA review process. If you are asked by PIA to verify whether a charter schools should be added to your application, you may forward those requests to me and I will assist you in obtaining the needed certification. If you have any questions regarding this guidance or how it applies to your situation, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to assist you. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2015.03.24 e-Rate and Charter Schools.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 84477 bytes Desc: 2015.03.24 e-Rate and Charter Schools.pdf URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Fri Mar 27 15:14:11 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:14:11 +0000 Subject: [Erate] Additional guidance from USAC regarding ESD consortium applications Message-ID: Below is a summary of guidance from USAC regarding how ESD's can file their individual and consortium applications. There will be more information in next week's newsletter. It includes a workaround for the 471 bug that will not allow an ESA with no schools of its own to be added as a consortium member. Please note that this work around requires information to be added in the narrative of your first FRN, so be mindful to include that as you fill out your forms. Updated Guidance for ESD Discount Calculations ESDs have multiple ways to file their E-rate applications, depending on what services they are procuring, for whom those services are being procured, and whether an ESD has its own schools or not. The instructions on how ESDs should file their Form 471s for each situation have generally not changed over the years, but with the new 471 filing system there has been some difficulty determining exactly how to file for each scenario. There is also a technical problem (described in # 3) because the online application will not permit a NIF (non-instructional facility)-only entity to be a stand-alone consortium member. USAC has provided guidance as a work-around for this year if you are in this situation. 1) ESD FILING FOR ITS OWN SERVICES - WHERE SERVICE ISN'T BEING SHARED WITH ITS DISTRICTS * In the Basic Information section (Block 1), select School District. * In Discount Calculation section (Block 4), list the ESD's NIFs (non-instructional buildings), all of the ESD's schools (if they have any) AND all of the schools they service in their ESD's service territory (not districts), as if they were the one giant school district. The template should list the ESD's BEN in Column A for all entities. This will correctly calculate the discount rate. * In the Funding Request section (Block 5), you should select the ESD's actual buildings receiving the service in Manage Entities. 2) ESD AS CONSORTIUM LEAD - WHERE ESD HAS SCHOOLS OF ITS OWN * In the Basic Information section (Block 1), select Consortium. * In Discount Calculation section (Block 4), upload your template where the consortium member's BENs are in Column A and all of the schools associated with that BEN in Columns B and C. The ESD would be listed as a separate consortium member and would include their NIFs and their ESD's schools. If the ESD only has a NIF and no schools of its own, see # 3 below for instructions. * In the Funding Request section (Block 5), you should select the buildings receiving the service in Manage Entities. If service is only being delivered a District building (hub site), you should only select those buildings. 3) ESD AS CONSORTIUM LEAD - WHERE ESD HAS NO SCHOOLS As it currently stands, the new Form 471 application will not permit the filing of a consortium application in which the ESD is a consortium member but has no schools. Although not perfect, the following is USAC's guidance on how to file in these situations: * In the Basic Information section (Block 1), select Consortium. * In Discount Calculation section (Block 4), upload your template where the consortium member's BENs are in Column A and all of the schools associated with that BEN in Columns B and C. Because the ESD cannot be listed as a NIF-only consortium member, do NOT list the ESD's BEN in Column A, but rather add the ESD's NIFs to one of the school districts on the application. Be sure to identify it as an ESA under School Attributes. * In the Funding Request section (Block 5), the ESD must explain in the Narrative text box of the first FRN which ESD NIF(s) should be a stand-alone entity and with which school district they were placed. Including the ESD's NIFs in a school district will not affect the discount rate as the NIFs do not have any students and they are not considered in the urban/rural status determination. * Using Manage Entities, you should select the buildings receiving the service. If service is only being delivered to a District building (hub site), you should only select those buildings. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Mon Mar 30 12:38:04 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2015 19:38:04 +0000 Subject: [Erate] E-Rate Central News for the Week of March 30, 2015 Message-ID: Please see the attached newsletter for articles on: * Funding Status: Funding waves for FY 2013 and FY 2014 are scheduled this week. * Updated Guidance on ESA Discount Rate Calculations: USAC has developed new Block 4 discount rate guidelines for educational service agencies. * E-Rate Updates and Reminders: * FY 2015 Form 471 application window closes April 16th * "Form 470 But No Form 471" Notifications * Avoiding PIA Cost Allocation Questions * S&L News Brief Dated March 20 - Top Ten Form 471 Filing Tips: USAC's latest News Brief provides a number of tips for preparing and filing Form 471 applications. Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Week 03-30 - SECA.doc Type: application/msword Size: 90624 bytes Desc: Week 03-30 - SECA.doc URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Mon Mar 30 16:36:17 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:36:17 +0000 Subject: [Erate] EducationSuperHighway/ODE Inventory of internet and network access Message-ID: A Message from Amy McLaughlin: Oregon Department of Education is working with the non-profit organization EducationSuperHighway to help inventory internet and network access in Oregon's schools. EducationSuperHighway is a non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to upgrade the Internet access in every public school in America. During April and May, representatives from EducationSuperHighway may contact your district over the next several weeks to verify your E-rate connectivity data. E-rate data will be used as the foundation of EducationSuperHighway's analysis of connectivity in Oregon's schools. This information will help ODE understand the challenges and opportunities our districts face in providing students across the state with the connectivity needed for digital learning. If you receive a call from the EducationSuperHighway team, please work with them and answer their questions as best as possible. If you have any questions about the EudcationSuperHighway/ODE inventory of internet and network access, please contact Amy McLaughlin, amy.mclaughlin at ode.state.or.us. Amy McLaughlin, M.A. Information Technology Director - Oregon Virtual School District Office of Information Technology | Oregon Department of Education Office: 503.947.5771 | Cell: 503-798-0603 | Fax: 503.378.5156 | *amy.mclaughlin at state.or.us Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Tue Mar 31 14:07:31 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:07:31 +0000 Subject: [Erate] Corrected charter school memo Message-ID: Some of you may have noticed a small typo in the original charter school memo. While the typo did not change the meaning or intent of the memo, I have provided a corrected version for your records. You may use this memo as justification when working with PIA to determine whether charter schools should be added to your applications are not. Just a reminder, if your reviewer request specific certifications from the state e-Rate coordinator, send those requests to me and I'll make sure they get done. :) Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2015.03.24 e-Rate and Charter Schools.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 84542 bytes Desc: 2015.03.24 e-Rate and Charter Schools.pdf URL: From Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org Tue Mar 31 16:25:32 2015 From: Sabrina.Carson at wesd.org (Carson, Sabrina) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:25:32 +0000 Subject: [Erate] Avoid Common Mistakes on your E-rate Webinar - April 7th, 2015 Message-ID: Education SuperHighway is offering another webinar for those who may still have questions about filing the 471! Avoid Common Mistakes on your E-rate Webinar - April 7 at 10:30am PST Webinar Link: https://join.me/768-205-514 Dial-in: 1-415-655-0381 Access Code: 768-205-514# Sabrina Carson e-Rate Coordinator | Willamette ESD 503.540.4495 - phone | 503.540.2962 - fax sabrina.carson at wesd.org www.wesd.org [cid:A05DC38F-DCE3-4AFB-BF98-E86255261B19] CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this e-mail may be confidential. If you are not the addressee you are officially notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 29757 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: