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Year 6 E-Rate Training Teleconferences Offered
Message Posted October 6, 2002

Although a full-day beginners training workshop is scheduled on Nov. 5 in Harrisburg (see previous e-mail), I wanted to point your attention to two upcoming, free satellite teleconferences that are being offered by the Virginia Department of Education. They are being offered on Oct. 17 (Beginners) and Oct. 24 (Maximizing Your Discounts) from 2-4 p.m. Coordinates are listed below.

The Oct. 24 teleconference will be great for previous E-rate applicants, as it will provide hints and suggestions to legally and ethically maximize E-Rate discounts for the upcoming funding year. Included in this teleconference will be the forbidden words and phrases applicants should avoid using when submitting documentation to the E-Rate administrator, how increase discount rates, how to prepare for an audit, and how to file appeals.

If you do not have access to a satellite downlink, I have listed the PA Public Television Network (PPTN) stations and contact info. If you don't have access to a downlink site either through your library, school or local IU, you may contact your nearest station and go to it to see the live program. The stations also will tape the program and will show it at a later date if needed.

-- Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
jtschell@comcast.net
phone: 717.730.7133
fax: 717.730.9060

The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Satellite Educational Network are pleased to announce the availability of two nationally televised satellite training opportunities on the Universal Service Schools and Libraries program, better known as E-Rate. Greg Weisiger, E-Rate coordinator for Virginia will host these informative programs.

Universal Service, E-Rate discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access, and building hardware have been made available to eligible schools and libraries since January 1998. Since its inception, billions of dollars in E-Rate funding has enabled schools and libraries to connect students, teachers, and citizens to Internet resources. According to U.S. Department of Education statistics, 99 percent of public schools had Internet access in the fall of 2001, while only 78 percent had access in 1997.

Despite overall success of E-Rate, the application and funding process remains cumbersome and complex. Each year approximately 20 percent of E-Rate applications are denied or rejected, largely for simple procedural errors. Even after funding commitments have been made, hundreds of millions of dollars are uncollected by applicants because of personnel turnover and missed filing deadlines. Don’t let this happen to your school or library!

On October 17, 2002 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern time the Virginia Department of Education will present a live, interactive satellite teleconference: E-Rate for Beginners, designed for first time applicants, applicants that have been denied or rejected in the past, or for people that have just been handed the "E-Rate file" as part of their job duties. This teleconference will walk applicants step-by-step through the application and funding process with advice on avoiding funding denial or rejection and updates on filing deadlines.

On October 24, 2002 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern time the second teleconference, Maximizing E-Rate Discounts will be offered. This teleconference will also be live, interactive and provide hints and suggestions to legally and ethically maximize E-Rate discounts for the upcoming funding year. Included in this teleconference will be the forbidden words and phrases applicants should avoid using when submitting documentation to the E-Rate administrator, how increase
discount rates, how to prepare for an audit, and how to file appeals. Officials from the Schools and Libraries Division have been invited to answer questions during this teleconference.

Both teleconferences are offered at no charge and may be recorded, duplicated, and rebroadcast non-commercially. Both will air on C-Band satellite Anik E1, located at 118 degrees west, Channel 19. Test time begins at 1:30 eastern time. For assistance locating the Anik satellite prior to the teleconferences, Virginia Satellite Educational Network classes are broadcast Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 1:20 on Anik E1, Channel 19. Classes broadcast during this time are Latin and advanced placement courses offered from the Wise county studio.

Videotapes of the teleconferences will be available from the Department of Education for $25 each. Send check or money order payable to:
Virginia Department of Education
E-Rate Teleconference
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218

For more information on these teleconferences, contact Greg Weisiger, Virginia Department of Education, at (804) 692-0335 or email: gweisige@pen.k12.va.us

LIST OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS

WQED - Karen Farmer White
4802 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
412-622-6441
kfwhite@wqed.org

WQLN - Kimberly Fabrizio
8425 Peach Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16509
814-864-3001
kfabrizio@wqln.org

WPSX - Darcy Gustafson
Wagner Annex
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
dan149@psu.edu

WITF - Beth Reed
P.O. Box 2954
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105
717-236-6000
beth_reed@witf.org

WVIA - Calesta Schmitt
100 WVIA Way
Pittston, Pennsylvania 18640
570-602-1182
calesta_schmitt@wvia.pbs.org

WLVT - Barbara Cohenour
123 Sesame Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
610-867-4677 ext. 122
barbarac@wlvt.org

WHYY - Sandra Andino
150 North Sixth Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
215-351-12
sandino@whyy.org

WYBE
8200 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128
215-483-3900

Julie Tritt Schell

jtschell@comcast.net
(717) 730.7133 (voice)
(717) 730.9060 (fax)

 

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