E-Rate

2024 Co-chairs 

Julia Legg

E-Rate Central

Rachel Botts

Kellogg & Sovereign

SHLB Staff Contact: Kristen Corra

The purpose of the E-rate Policy Group is to support the underlying goals, administration, and implementation of the E-rate Program.

The Group additionally advocates for Program developments and advancements that reflect the evolving needs of E-rate applicants, stakeholders, and the communities they serve.  Members exchange information with each other to develop areas of interest and advocacy.

The SHLB E-rate Policy Group aims to develop new and influence existing Federal policies that impact the E-rate Program. Group members engage with each other and with others in the field to develop the expertise required for SHLB to advocate for these policies (through filings, meetings with policymakers, etc.).

The SHLB E-rate Policy Group provides a forum to exchange information to educate members about the E-rate Program and the evolving needs of schools, libraries, and their communities.

June Meeting Summary 

June 6, 2024: On June 6, we discussed a host of issues:

  • The FCC voted (3 approve, 2 dissent) to approve the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, so members will be on the lookout for the final Report and Order in the coming weeks.

  • SHLB suggested that the FCC establish a new “Category 3” budget to fund its proposed hotspot initiative under E-Rate.

  • Members expressed their questions and concerns about a government funding bill that was passed in March 2024 rescinding $1.768 billion in “unobligated” funds from the ECF program.

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.

Focal areas of the group include:

  • Track the implementation of FCC-related Orders to ensure the Program achieves its underlying goals. Examples include:
    • Tribal Libraries program and E-rate Streamlining Order
    • Wi-Fi on School Buses
  • Advance policies that support:
    • Cybersecurity funding (through the proposed pilot program and long-term E-rate solutions)
    • Hotspots and other “to and through” measures to solve the Homework Gap/home connectivity
  • Provide support for the continuation of policies in “jeopardy” (such as fighting against constitutional challenges to the USF and Wi-Fi on school buses).
  • Ensure to provide an educational forum for members to track and understand E-rate Program-related topics. Examples include:
    • Developments related to the USF
    • Program compliance and audit-related procedures and issues
    • Latest FCC & USAC program updates (i.e., Commission and Board meeting updates)
May 2021
FCC ORDER
Establishing Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap

December 2014

FCC ORDER
Modernizing the E-rate Program for Schools and Libraries		 October 2014
SHLB RESEARCH
A Model for Understanding the Cost to Connect Schools and Libraries with Fiber

July 2014
FCC ORDER
Modernizing the E-rate Program for Schools and Libraries

Join the Group