WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission last week issued an order to ensure 128 school districts around the nation will not lose their E-rate funding because of late filed applications.  Last week’s order is consistent with a recent order by the full Commission in the "Bishop Perry Middle School" proceeding, which was released May 19, 2006. In the Bishop Perry case, the FCC decided that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) may depart from otherwise required deadlines upon careful review of individual circumstances and where the doing so will serve the public interest.

 

“These funds are vital to the success of school districts not only in Alaska, but across the nation,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).  “The FCC’s action ensures that these funds will continue to go where they are needed most.”

 

The 128 school districts, including several in Alaska, sought waivers of USAC's filing deadline on the ground that the application process is complicated and time-consuming. Thursday's order directs USAC to not penalize school districts who filed late because their initial applications had ministerial or clerical errors.

 

  

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