Modern E-Rate Puts Telephones On Hold in K-12

Even in the Internet age, the lowly telephone remains an indispensable tool in the day-to-day operations of nearly every school. But thanks to the double whammy of declining state aid and disappearing federal subsidies for such "legacy" technology services, districts nationwide are scrambling to fill a roughly $359 million hole in their collective budgets, according to a new analysis by the Edmond (OK)-based consulting firm Funds for Learning. The problem will likely get worse before it gets better, said John Harrington, the group's CEO. "Schools are nowhere near being in a position to just cut their phone lines," Harrington said. "If they need to get a hold of a parent, they're not going to message them on Facebook."

The challenge stems from a 2014 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to modernize the federal E-rate program, which helps schools and libraries cover the cost of telecommunications services. Like other "universal service" programs, the E-rate has transitioned to focus on support for high-speed internet connections and internal wireless networks. The changes have been a boon for many districts making digital upgrades, especially because the FCC raised the E-rate's annual spending cap more than 60 percent, to $3.9 billion. But the added support for broadband has come with a cost: diminishing support for older telecommunications technologies upon which the K-12 sector still relies heavily.