E-rate Workshops Scheduled/
All Applicants Encouraged To Attend
Message Posted September 4, 1998
OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES E-RATE FUNDING WORKSHOPS
Most of you are probably wondering if, when, and how you will ever see any discounts or funds from the E-rate discount program that you applied for more than seven months ago. Well, all indications are pointing to Funding Commitment Letters being mailed during the first half of October. This is the good news. The bad news is that you will have several additional forms to complete before you see a dime of your discounts or retroactive payments.
Therefore, the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology has scheduled two-hours of workshops in five regions of the state at the end of September and beginning of October to walk schools, libraries, and vendors through the remaining steps of the 1998 E-rate program year, from the issuance of funding commitments this fall to the implementation of discounts by service providers through June 1999.
The workshops will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 during the afternoon of the Link-to-Learn Fall Pre-Grant Workshops. ** If you applied for E-rate, this is the most important session you will attend this year.** Additional details on the entire day's agenda can be found on the Link-to-Learn web site http://L2L.org.
There is no fee for the workshop, but participants must pre-register at least 72 hours in advance of the preferred location on the Link-to-Learn web site at http://L2L.org/98workshops/. If you do not have access to the Web, contact Arthur Lizie at 215-204-2712 for information on how to register. A buffet lunch will be provided to pre-registered attendees.
September 23 Harrisburg area - Radisson Penn Harris
September 28 Philadelphia area - Holiday Inn King of Prussia
September 29 Williamsport - Gennetti Hotel
October 1 Meadville - Meadville Days Inn
October 2 Pittsburgh area - Holiday Inn Monroeville
The workshops will begin with a preview of the Funding Commitment Decisions Letter that approved applicants will receive, followed by step-by-step instructions on filling out FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation Form), which triggers payment of discounts. We'll also provide detailed instructions for applicants who will seek reimbursement for funds
they've already spent on services for which they are approved for discounts. We will identify who is required to submit which forms, when, and under what circumstances, and will, of course, have completed samples of each form. The Schools and Libraries Corporation has been invited and is expected to attend the Harrisburg workshop.
E-RATE SATELLITE TELECONFERENCE SCHEDULED
Also, there will be a live E-rate satellite teleconference on September 28, 1998 from 1:30 - 3:30 Eastern time, hosted by the Virginia Department of Education, to discuss the same information that is being presented during the Link-to-Learn regional workshops. Unfortunately, this teleconference is being held during the same afternoon as the Philadelphia workshop. The teleconference will air in analog format on C-Band satellite Galaxy 7, channel 8 (3860 Mhz). Galaxy 7 is located at 91 degrees west. A test signal will air at 1:15 p.m. eastern time.
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Educational Technology
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Tel: (717) 787-5820
Fax: (717) 787-7222
00jtritt@psupen.psu.edu
www.state.pa.us
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