In a communication from USAC to the FCC which was released this week, the SLD estimates that $3.92 billion in funding has been requested for the 2010 Funding Year. This represents a drop of 1.8% over last year according to the communication from Mel Blackwell, Vice President of the Schools and Libraries Division of USAC.

The U.S. Department of Justice is reporting that the Houston Independent School District (HISD) agreed to pay $850,000 as part of a civil settlement relating to E-rate fraud and to "relinquish millions of dollars in requests for federal funds".

During the FCC's February open meeting, the Commission adopted an Order temporarily waiving FCC regulations for the remainder of FY 2009 and through FY 2010 which would enable schools to "allow members of the general public to use the schools' Internet access during non-operating hours."  The Rulemaking has now been published in the Federal Register and the FCC is seeking comments on making the "community use" rule permanent.

This week the FCC accepted the nomination of Sheryl Abshire, PhD to sit on the USAC Schools and Libraries Board.  Dr. Abshire is the Chief Technology Office at Calcasieu Parish School System in Louisiana and has been an outspoken advocate of the E-rate program.  Dr. Abshire's term ends in 2012, and she replaced Phyllis Simon whose term has expired. 

The USAC Schools and Libraries Committee met this week and is recommending to the FCC that they have enough funds to cover FY 2009 priority two applications at 78% and above. It typically takes a few weeks before the FCC approves USAC’s recommendations for lowering the discount threshold.

The FCC is conducting a survey of E-rate applicants as part of its development of the National Broadband Plan. The survey, which is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will ask E-rate applicants to provide information about the usage and implementation of high speed internet access in schools and libraries.

The FCC, during its monthly open meeting, adopted an Order temporarily waiving FCC regulations for the remainder of FY 2009 and through FY 2010 which will enable schools to "...allow members of the general public to use the schools' Internet access during non-operating hours..."

Funds For Learning has submitted comments to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding updating E-rate program compliance measures related to the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

This week Congressman Markey (D-MA) introduced the "E-rate 2.0 Act" which would expand the eligible beneficiaries of program dollars.  Congressman Markey was an original author of the E-rate program in 1996 and continues to be a prominent supporter.

The SLD has just announced that the Form 471 Application Filing Window has been extended until 11:59PM Eastern Time on Friday, February 19, 2010 due to adverse weather conditions.