The Universal Service Fund’s Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as the E-rate Program, helps ensure schools and libraries can obtain high-speed Internet access and telecommunications at affordable rates. Applicants typically get reimbursement of a portion of funds spent on eligible goods and services based on their district’s/library’s urban/rural status and poverty level. The average discount level of school districts in Lane County is around 80%.
More information about the E-rate program, processes, and training can be found at www.usac.org/e-rate.
Lane ESD is the lead member of the “Lane ESD ISP Consortium,” a consortium of Lane County districts for which Lane ESD provides technology services. The Lane ESD ISP Consortium allows Lane ESD to negotiate lowest cost for up-to-date Internet and transport services to member districts.
Lane ESD Technology staff also answer questions and offer advice to component districts processing their own internal E-rate applications. E-rate is a monthly agenda item at Lane County Technical Advisory Committee (LCTAC) and meeting minutes are available to show the latest in E-rate topics.