Page 25 - The EDGE Fall 2022

New Demands, New Options for School Districts Seeking E-rate Funds

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

the E-rate “Special Construction” program. For more information about how to navigate the
This program, enacted as a part of E-rate complex world of E-rate funding, please contact
modernization in 2014, specifically seeks to the Arizona Department of Education’s E-rate
incentivize the build out of competitive fiber program.
infrastructure. Where there is competition, it is
observed that monthly recurring costs decrease,

while bandwidth and network capacity increases. Milan Eaton is the E-rate Director for the Arizona
The Special Construction program also enjoys the Department of Education.
potential for additional federal matching dollars
if the state has money available to contribute to John B. Kelly is a government relations consultant
the project. The E-rate program will provide up for TRIADVOCATES and the former State Chief
to an additional 10% match of any state funding Information Officer.
for fiber Special Construction.

Some school districts are reluctant to take on CLEAN,
SAFE, AND
the task of Special Construction because they MAKING THE DISTRACTION
perceive there would be additional cost and CAFETERIA THE FREE
HAPPIEST PLACE ENVIRONMENTS
CLEAN,
complexity of building out their own dedicated IN SCHOOL SAFE, AND
TO ENHANCE
STUDENT
network. But those districts that do include MAKING THE DISTRACTION
CAFETERIA THE FREE LEARNING
Special Construction as an option in their RFP’s HAPPIEST PLACE ENVIRONMENTS
IN SCHOOL TO ENHANCE
will learn that vendors have developed creative STUDENT
LEARNING
options and business models to make that
option much easier to implement. Much like a
“managed service” model, the vendor is directly
accountable to the district for service quality and
capacity. Plus, under Special Construction rules,
Your K12 dream team for dining
E-rate pays for a percentage of the build costs up Your K12 dream team for dining
services and facilities management
front. services and facilities management

The bottom line is that districts can be
sophisticated buyers in the E-rate Category One
marketplace. By including Special Construction CUSTOMIZED
FUN AND FACILITY
options in the competitive bidding process, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS BASED ON
CUSTOMIZED
districts will be open to more responses, more CLIENT NEEDS
FUN AND FACILITY
ideas and more options. And, as many districts
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
have learned, whether they utilize leased lines or PROGRAMS BASED ON
CLIENT NEEDS
dedicated lines, the enhanced competition will
Cherryl Paul Nikki Crider
For more
benefit your bottom line. information Chartwells Regional Sales Director SSC Regional Sales Director
please e. Cherryl.Paul@compass-usa.com e. Nikki.Crider@sscserv.com
contact: c. 623.293.0671 c. 480.861.6109
Cherryl Paul Nikki Crider
For more 25
information Chartwells Regional Sales Director SSC Regional Sales Director
please e. Cherryl.Paul@compass-usa.com e. Nikki.Crider@sscserv.com
contact: c. 623.293.0671 c. 480.861.6109