I have found E-rate to be as equally bureaucratic as ever, though more
on-line filing makes it a little easier at times.  Their response time
for approving submissions seems slower than it used to be.

It would be great to not have to deal with E-Rate, but our reality is
that we need the money.  A  50% reimbursement of all phone bills,
circuits and internet access is used to fund our WAN infrastructure.  

Fortunately, our district targets the funds for tech. I hear of some
districts who have it sent to the general fund, which is not much
motivation for tech staff.

We do not qualify for hardware purchases, so do not have to deal with
that hassle with E-Rate people.




Steve Jarrett
District Technology Coordinator
Chittenden East Supervisory Union
(802) 899 - 4690 X502
(fax) (802)899-2904 

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>>> Sigurd Andersen <[log in to unmask]> 2/23/2007 9:41 AM >>>
Is anyone looking at the decrease in the value of the e-rate program
due 
to all the red tape involved in filing the necessary paperwork? When I

was working on it, I probably used up half (or more) of the value of 
what we got back in my time trying to get everything done right and at

the proper time. What with that, and the administrative overhead in 
central coordination, it seems like an enormously inefficient way of 
distributing the collected funds.
Sigurd Andersen

Phil Hyjek wrote:
> The following came across my virtual desk yesterday. Seems like a 
> worthy effort.
>  
> Phil
>  
> Philip Hyjek
> Director, Technology Initiatives
> The Vermont Institutes
> 45 College Street
> Montpelier, VT 05602
> 802.828.0063
> http://www.vermontinstitutes.org 
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Mike Call [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
> *Sent:* Tue 2/20/2007 1:37 PM
> *To:* Phil Hyjek
> *Subject:* E-rate research requested
>
> Dear Philip,
>
>  
>
> Certiport is conducting research that will be used to help make the 
> case for why the Federal government needs to continue the E-rate 
> Program. Specifically, we want to know how school districts and 
> site-based schools from across the country are utilizing ICT 
> connectivity made available, at least in part, by E-rate funds.
>
>  
>
> We'd appreciate if you would forward the hyperlink to this survey to

> all computer / technology coordinators, at the school-district level,

> in Vermont (or anyone else who might be qualified to respond). We
hope 
> to have this data available so that it coincides with next week's 
> Capitol Hill roundtable discussion on E-rate.
>
>  
>
> Survey results will be privy to all participants (via a URL provided

> at the end of the survey). The survey is NOT an endorsement or 
> promotion for Certiport. The information requested, and its intended

> use, is in the interest of public education students, teachers, 
> administrators, and the general public.
>
>  
>
> Please click the following hyperlink to access the survey:
>
>  
>
> http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=635513 
>
>  
>
> Please email me if you have any questions or comments.
>
>  
>
> Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
>
>  
>
> Sincerely,
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Michael Call
>
> Education Research Analyst
>
> Certiport
>
>  
>