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Wisconsin E-rate Information


December 22, 2008updated


Latest Updates

  1. Version 2 of enrollment and lunch data posted
  2. Bandwidth options paper updated
  3. Information on the DOA cell contract updated
  4. 2009 form 471 filing window is open

CONTENTS

arrow Latest Updates

arrow Funds Allocated to WI Schools and Libraries (some 2007-2008 funding is still pending)

Year
Total
 
Year
Total
 
Year
Total
1998 $38,222,352.41   2002 $31,921,088.07   2006 $24,335,964.41
1999 $26,790,087.39   2003 $26,784,925.04   2007 $14,657,145.21
2000 $25,016,524.59   2004 $24,635,438.59   2008 $12,298,090.84
2001 $25,708,164.86   2005 $27,426,303.76   2009 NA

arrow Other DPI E-rate Information

arrow Key SLD E-rate Information

arrow DPI E-rate Email List

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arrow Technology Plans

Other DPI E-rate Information



Note: More recent information provided below may supersede older information.

December 2008 updates

Version 2 of enrollment and lunch data posted

Version 2 of the 2009 enrollment and free/reduced lunch data are now available. We will post another file with district subtotals and the juvenile correction facilities. Otherwise, DPI considers these data as final.

Note the following:
  • DPI will be sending this file to the SLD in mid-January. If you use the data in this file PIA should not contact you asking for any further documentation. But if you are asked, contact Bob Bocher at DPI before responding.
  • As in past years, DPI does not verify to the SLD any data in the "Alternative" column.
  • Schools are always free to use their own enrollment and poverty data but they will then have to document their data when requested by PIA.

Bandwidth options paper updated

Many schools and libraries are finding that they have insufficient bandwidth to meet the needs of their staff, students, or library patrons. The Bandwidth Options Paper, first released in December 2007, has been updated.

Information on DOA cell contract updated

Information on using the state Department of Administration's (DOA) cell contract has been updated. Review this information carefully, and note that to receive discounts on data or Internet services (e.g., email, Web) received via any handheld device (cell phone, BlackBerry, etc.) applicants must file both a Form 470 and 471.

October - November 2008 updates

2009 471 filing window is open

The 2009 Form 471 filing window is now open and will close at 10:59 p.m. CST on Thursday, February 12, 2009. The 2009 Eligible Services List (ESL) is also available.

DPI Fall E-rate sessions

We have scheduled two online workshops as follows. There is no need to register. Both live sessions will be archived for future viewing.

  • Monday, November 3, 1:00 – 3:00pm. This will be a basic or beginners session targeted at individuals who do not have much or any background on the E-rate program.
    • PowerPoint slides   –and–  Mediasite link
    • Note: You must have Windows Media Player installed. Mediasite works best with PCs but will work with Macs with Media Player.
  • Friday, December 5, 1:00 – 3:30pm. This will be targeted at more experienced E-rate applicants.

2007 BEAR Form and 2008 Form 486 deadlines

  • 2007 BEAR form: If you did not get discounts on your bills for the year that ended June 30, 2007, the deadline to file any final BEAR (472) forms is Tuesday, October 28.
  • 2008 486 form: For this current year, if your service started July 1 and the date of your FCDL is on or before July 1, you need to file a Form 486 by Wednesday, October 29 .

The SLD’s October 10 News Brief has good information on filing both of these forms. Applicants need to file the Form 486 by October 29 only if the date of the funding letter (FCDL) is on or before July 1. If you have not yet received a FCDL, you will have 120 days to file the 486 after the date on the FCDL. For example, if you get a FCDL on October 22, you will have until about February 22, 2009 to file the 486.

Collection of fall 2008 lunch data

Like last year, lunch data is being collected this fall as part of each district’s completing the data needed for the Individual Student Enrollment System (ISES). The deadline for completing the ISES data entry is Oct. 27. Every district has an ISES coordinator. You may want to contact that individual and ask about the status of ISES data entry. The sooner we can get valid data, the sooner we can confirm poverty (lunch) counts for 2009. Once entered, ISES data goes through a series of edit checks and we will likely not get a file out on lunch data before mid-December.

New federal law

The President signed the Broadband Data Improvement Act (PL 110-385) on October 10. Title II of this act, “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act,” is designed to promote Internet use “in a manner that promotes safe online activity for children, protects children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators.” The legislation adds an additional requirement to the CIPA Internet Safety Policy that each district must have to receive Internet access or internal connection discounts. The added language says that as part of the Internet safety policy the school is "educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.” The FCC will be providing guidance on the impact of this on the 2009 E-rate funding year.

September 2008 update

There are no substantive changes to the 2009 E-rate forms or the overall application process. Form 470 for 2009 services can be filed at any time. However, before you file the 470 you must have your technology plan written, but not necessarily approved, that covers the services you request in the 470. (The plan must be approved by start of service, usually July 1.)

On September 17 the DPI submitted comments to the FCC's draft 2009 Eligible Services List (ESL). In brief, the department supports eligibility for VoIP, filtering software, expanding the definition of basic phone service and the inclusion of distance education scheduling software. Once the FCC finalizes the 2009 ESL it will then set the filing window dates for submitting Form 471. We assume this will open about mid-November with a 471 deadline in early February 2009.

State Superintendent Burmaster has sent a letter to DOA Secretary Michael Morgan requesting DOA include language in its proposed 2009/11 state budget that provides sufficient funding for the state's TEACH program. The DPI's request is to ensure that TEACH has enough funds to fully subsidize every school or library request for increased bandwidth on the BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN). In her letter the superintendent also stated, "The Internet has infused itself into almost all facets of our school and library operations, and it is critical to student learning and library patron access to information. Therefore, DPI supports the broadest use of TEACH subsidized circuits. We think local schools and libraries are in the best position to determine what Internet-based services or applications they need."

January 2008 updates

AT&T SPINs

Various AT&T acquisitions and service changes over the past several years has resulted in some SPIN confusion. Recently staff from AT&T, DPI and TEACH had a conference call to clarify SPINS. Based on this call, please use the following guidance in completing your Form 471s.

  • STS services. Use SPIN 143001192. Basic information is on the DPI's STS Website. This service is billed to schools or libraries either by the state Department of Administration (DOA) or by AT&T as part of its OneNet service. The 143001192 SPIN is listed as "AT&T Corporation" in the SLD database.
  • SBC or AT&T Internet services. Use SPIN 143001192.
  • AT&T voice, Centrex and data services. Use SPIN 143001856. This service is always billed directly by AT&T, never by DOA. The 143001856 SPIN is still listed under the old name "Wisconsin Bell, Inc." in the SLD database.
Note:  TEACH sends out a bill annually (usually in December) for BadgerNet circuit costs charged to schools and libraries as part of the TEACH program. Any bills you receive from AT&T will be for services (circuits, etc.) that are not covered under TEACH.

Common reasons for E-rate denials

DPI staff have compiled a list of the Common Reasons for E-rate Funding Denials. This list is based on Wisconsin applications from 2004 through 2006. In this three-year period, 8.3% of all funding requests were denied. See the listing of denials for more detailed explanations on why applications are denied. The five most common reasons are listed below.
  • Contract issues: 24% of all denials
  • Insufficient documentation: 17%
  • 30% rule: 15%
  • No 470 posted; 9%
  • 471 filing issues; 5%

State Agency Resource Staff

Please contact the following staff if you have questions.

K-12 public school E-rate questions and public school technology plans:

Stephen Sanders
Dept. of Public Instruction
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
phone: (608) 266-3856 fax: (608) 266-2529
email: stephen.sanders@dpi.wi.gov

Library E-rate questions and public library and library system technology plans:

Bob Bocher
Dept. of Public Instruction
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
phone: (608) 266-2127 fax: (608) 266-2529
email: robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov

E-rate and private school technology plans:

Tara Baxter
DOA-TEACH Wisconsin
101 East Wilson St.
P.O. Box 8761
Madison, WI 53708-8761
phone: (608) 266-7738 fax: (608) 267-0626
email: tara.baxter@wisconsin.gov


Bob Bocher, Technology Consultant
WI Dept. of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning
125 S. Webster St. Madison WI 53707-7841
(608-266-2127, fax 608-266-2529)
robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov


Last updated on 5/11/2009 2:12:40 PM