[Erate] New guidance for districts and charter schools from the Oregon Department of Education.

[Carson, Sabrina]

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<mailto:sabrina.carson at wesd.org>
www.wesd.org

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