Fwd: Should E-rate cover Wi-Fi on school buses?

[Joshua Klingbeil]

FYI

Joshua Klingbeil  -  CIO

Wisconsin Valley Library Service

I have learned that when I am able to empty my mind of 

                                preconception, predisposition, and prejudice...  
                 ... what remains is possibility!

It's easy to answer "No! And here's why not..." 
                It's empowering to answer "Yes! Now let's figure out how..."

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: SHLB Coalition <ajoh...@shlb.org>
Date: Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 11:59 AM
Subject: Should E-rate cover Wi-Fi on school buses?
To: Joshua Klingbeil <it.di...@wvls.org>

Join the debate at AnchorNets 2019.

View this email in your browser Wi-Fi on School Buses - Who Should Pay? Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai visited Council Grove, Kansas, where the one thing enabling students to complete their homework is Wi-Fi connected school buses. The Chairman's tweet reflects the general consensus that school bus Wi-Fi is a valuable tool for closing the digital divide. However, many digital equity advocates are still waiting for the FCC to answer the question: Can E-rate funds cover the cost of Wi-Fi on school buses?  Yes. At least, that's the assertion made by panelists in part one of the Schools and Digital Equity Workshop at AnchorNets 2019: The 9th Annual SHLB Conference. Greenville County School District has over 26,100 school bus riders who spend an average of 1.24 hours on a bus each day. Greenville Director of Education Technology Services Bill Brown will share how the County installed secure Wi-Fi on 425 buses, measurably reducing the homework gap. Workshop participants will learn how school buses can meet the FCC definition of "educational purposes" and become eligible for E-rate discounts. Schools and Digital Equity Workshop Part 1: Rural Wireless on the Go - Wi-Fi on School Buses Thursday, October 17, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Bill Brown Greenville County Schools   Andrew Epting South Carolina State E-rate Coordinator Michael Flood Kajeet Meagan Foster Senator Tom Udall LEARN MORE Two Keynote Sessions You Can't Miss!     FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr October 17, 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Carr is a leader in promoting telehealth for low-income Americans and veterans. He proposed a $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program, which would offer an 85 percent discount on connectivity for eligible services. Commissioner Carr also asked tough questions about Educational Broadband Service licensees, and has taken a leadership role in promoting 5G.   FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks October 17, 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Commissioner Starks is committed to ensuring that no American is left behind in this era of transformative innovation. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the term "digital divide," Commissioner Starks will take the stage alongside Larry Irving to reflect on our nation's progress in bridging the gap. REGISTER NOW AnchorNets 2019 Sponsors The SHLB Coalition thanks the following sponsors for making the AnchorNets 2019 Conference possible. Bronze Sponsors: Crown Castle | Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth | Infinity Consulting and Communications | Kelley Drye & Warren | Mobile Beacon BECOME A SPONSOR Copyright © 2019 SHLB Coalition, All rights reserved. This is the full email list distribution from SHLB Coalition Our mailing address is: SHLB Coalition 1250 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.