PSS bats for the highest E-rate discount

As the Public School System readies its next round of E-rate application package for funding year 2001 to 2002, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos expressed hopes the school system will garner the highest percentage discount versus the low 76 percent telecommunications services reduction the Schools and Libraries Division has approved for the current year.

PSS’ technology team has begun distributing E-rate survey forms marking the beginning of the application process, and the agency said it is determined to obtain more than 51 percent of the required survey returns from each CNMI public school.

The survey is viewed as the main determining factor that would decide whether CNMI is eligible to apply for technology and telecommunications funding to support ongoing plans to institute a CNMI-wide electronic network and infrastructure.

“We’re looking at all schools to be fully networked, every classroom, every school linked to every school. And this is not just for our schools but also the ability to extend ourselves to any school in the nation that has the capability to communicate with us,” said Dr. Inos.

Dr. Inos said one of the PSS’ ultimate goal is too hook up every campus through video conferencing system to curb the costs of inter-island travel.

She said through this state-of-the-art technology, students would be able to widen their learning capabilities with adequate exposure to multi-media educational aids.

“This would really ease the issue of distance and is projected to unite the whole Commonwealth through technology. This is very exciting for us,” Dr. Inos said.

Meanwhile, some 36,000 questionnaires in three languages are being distributed to the parents of close to 10,000 students enrolled in 16 of CNMI’s public schools.

The deadline set for submission of the survey questionnaires is supposed to be today, but PSS may extend this to accommodate late submissions, according to PSS technology coordinator Mark Savares.

SLD is scheduled to open today its Form 471 filing window for Funding Year 4 (July 1,2001 to June 30, 2002). The window will remain open for 74 calendar days and will close on January 18, 2001.

“We like to underscore to parents that their cooperation in this effort would benefit their children’s education,” Mr. Savares appealed to parents.

Results of the survey will help PSS keep tab of the number of students who are qualified for the free National School Lunch Program or students whose families are participating in the Federal Nutrition Assistance Program, the public housing assistance, Medicaid, federal Supplementary Security income, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.