• September 30, 2001 Deadline
• Virginia Teleconferences

The following is a summary of the E-rate News for the Week of September 17, 2001, prepared by E-Rate Central. Official SLD news appears in the “What’s New!” section of the SLD’s Web site . Additional and archived information appears elsewhere on our Web site .

SLD rules state that applicants must receive recurring services during the funding year in which they were requested (July 1^st to June 30^th). However, non-recurring services can be received up until the September 30^th following the close of a funding year. In addition, applicants who received FCDLs, or notification of successful SPIN change or service substitution requests after, March 1^st are given until September 30^th of the following year to receive their services.

As such, this September 30, 2001 is the deadline for receipt of services for the majority of PY3 applicants. This will also be the deadline for certain PY2 applicants.

Services are defined as recurring or non-recurring based on the classification used by the applicant while filling out Item 23 of Block 5 on the Form 471. Examples of typical recurring services are phone or T1 service. An example of non-recurring service is the purchase of LAN equipment.

The deadline for submitting PY3 Form 472s (or BEARs) has not yet been announced. However, based on last year’s deadline, we anticipate the date will be in November.

The Virginia Department of Education is offering a series of three teleconferences this fall that will focus on the E-rate program and applying for discounts. Based on E-rate teleconferences the Virginia DOE has held in the past, we expect these to be well done and valuable for almost all E-rate applicants.

Teleconference 1 - E-rate Coordinator Training Conference - October 11th, 1:30-3:30 PM, ET (live-analog), 5:30-7:30 PM, ET (delayed-digital format)

The Virginia DOE will present a two-hour overview of the E-rate program and the requirements that applicants must follow to successfully complete the process. It will cover the Children's Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”) regulations and steps applicants must follow to comply. One significant CIPA deadline occurs within three weeks of this teleconference (October 28). Eligible services will be covered as well as pitfalls applicants should avoid. Suggestions for writing appeals will also be covered. Internet resources will also be made available during the teleconference.

Local, state, and regional E-rate training coordinators and applicants can benefit from this teleconference. The broadcast is offered at no charge and may be taped, duplicated, and rebroadcast.

Technical Information:

Date: October 11, 2001

Satellite: Galaxy 3R, C-Band (95 degrees west)

Channel: 13 (3960 MHz)

Test Time: 1:20 p.m.

Broadcast: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. EDT

Hints for tuning: Virginia Satellite Educational Network classes air on G3R channel 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Teleconference 2 - Year Five for Beginners - October 18th, 1:30-3:30 PM, ET (live-analog), 5:30-7:30 PM, ET (delayed-digital format)

The federal E-rate program has brought millions of dollars in technology discounts to schools across the United States. It does, however, remain a cumbersome, complex program administered by the Schools and Libraries Division, a not-for-profit company set up by the Federal Communications Commission. Failure to follow program procedures correctly will result in denial of funds. The Virginia Department of Education and SERC's (Satellite Educational Resources Consortium) Star Schools program will present this two-hour teleconference for local E-rate administrators new to the program. Seasoned veterans may also find some value in refreshing E-rate application skills. There will be a charge for this teleconference that allows you to have statewide and rebroadcast rights.

Teleconference 3 - Year Five Maximizing Discounts - October 25th, 1:30-3:30 PM, ET (live-analog), 5:30-7:30 PM, ET (delayed-digital format)

To Register for Teleconferences 2 and 3 - Teleconference 2 and Teleconference 3 are available to SERC member states (FL, KY, LA, MS, NE, NJ, NV, NY, PA, SC, VA, VT, and WV) at no charge.

There will be a $500 registration fee (total fee for both teleconferences) for non-member states. This fee entitles the state to have statewide and rebroadcast rights. Please call (800) 476-5001 to register.