Fundamental E-Rate compliance changes lead to $17.9 million in results

Increased vigilance and systemic changes will lead to approximately $17.9 million in E-Rate funding being returned to classrooms in the Dallas Independent School District.

Dallas ISD is slated to receive the federal funds regarding technology purchases as a reimbursement within 30 days due to its increased compliance in the E-Rate program. Jim Terry, Dallas ISD chief financial officer, has been notified that approximately $17.9 million in E-Rate reimbursements have just been released to district vendors.

Combined with the $18.3 million received in the previous fiscal year, the total amount received in E-Rate funding since the compliance agreement began will be more than $36 million.

“Dallas ISD has worked diligently to play by the rules with E-Rate, and now it’s paying off with funds that will go directly to ensuring our students are college and career ready,” Terry said. “This reimbursement represents nearly $20 million that can be used to ensure our students have what they need to be 21st century learners.”

Last week Terry, Chief Technology Officer Gray Salada and Legal Counsel Clayton Greenberg traveled to Washington D.C. for meetings with both the FCC and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to discuss, among other items, this reimbursement.