US/ND-3: This Week's Questions

This Week's Questions

Preuss, Paul (PPREUSS@Herkimer-BOCES.moric.org)
Tue, 10 Sep 1996 08:13:48 +5 EST 

Should there be cash grants or vouchers available directly to school 
districts or schools?

    No. I think the funding should come as a "rebate" to the service
    provider.  Schools will pay a reduced rate for service and the
    service provider can collect the rebate.
    
Should there be an "E-rate" (educational rate) defining special 
discounts for schools and libraries?

    Yes.  There must be an "E-Rate" if rebate system suggested above
    is to be used.
    
Should school districts have to complete state-approved technology 
plans in order to qualify for Universal Service subsidies?

    NO!   In a perfect world I suppose it would be nice.  But after
    more than 30 years in public education I know how such plans are
    developed (and not followed) and how they are "approved".  Such a
    requirement would provide one more large obstacle to getting 
    students on-line and would cost additional unwarranted expense.
    In New York for example - who at the state level will approve 
    plans from over 700 school districts - especially now that our SED 
    has been downsized three times?   One last point.  Many times
    school administrtion is indifferent and it is a teacher or 
    librarian who has "caught the fire" that makes things happen.  
    Heaping the requirement of a school plan on top of them would be 
    enough to snuff the fire out.
    
How should one define a bona fide request for telecommunications 
services?

    It seems to me that all a school district need do is contact a
    service provider of its choice and request services it requires
    at the "E-Rate".  Perhaps, as mentioned in a previous post, the
    "E-Rate" may be modified for each school district depending upon
    wealth to help satisfy the equity issue.  
    
Should Universal Service subsidies extend to groups which provide 
educational materials or support for educational organizations, such 
as universities and colleges or community centers?

    NO!  Again - in a perfect world this would be nice.  But the
    world is not Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  We are dealing
    with limited resources which should be focused for the specific
    intent of the legislation.  We will have difficulty enough
    spreading the thin glaze of subsidies around schools and libraries
    without having to spread it any further.

     
   





              









Paul Preuss
PPreuss@Herkimer-BOCES.moric.org
Phone: 315 867 2007  FAX: 315 867 2024