Dear Ms. Marlene Dortch: We are writing regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Notice of…

26110076825

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/26110076825

Dear Ms. Marlene Dortch: We are writing regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the E-Rate program, and we appreciate the opportunity to comment ahead of the October 13, 2026 deadline, asking the FCC to preserve the current E-Rate program. Our students have reliable internet access at our school because of E-Rate. Without E-Rate funding, we would have to cut core services, programs, and operations to maintain the internet service our school requires. High-speed, reliable internet is central to daily learning at our school. We are concerned by proposals in this proceeding that would narrow the program's scope, including reducing support for schools in less-resourced communities, eliminating funding for certain special construction projects, or ending E-Rate eligibility for early childhood programs. Losing E-Rate support would severely impact our entire school budget, forcing difficult choices between funding essential technology and supporting other critical educational programs. Sixty percent of our internet budget is paid for through E-Rate, and we save several dollars on other technology. We are also concerned about proposed administrative changes that would add significant new burdens on schools without a clear corresponding benefit to students. Eliminating the "Kalamazoo exception" would require schools like ours to re-bid and re-sign existing, already competitively bid contracts more frequently, adding staff time and creating potential service gaps. As a small private school without dedicated E-Rate compliance staff, this change would fall disproportionately hard on us compared to larger districts with dedicated procurement teams. Similarly, requiring a new annual consultant disclosure form (Form 5654) from every applicant, even schools that do not use a consultant, adds a filing requirement with no clear purpose for schools that manage their own applications. E-Rate is an essential program, and we ask for the FCC's continued commitment to ensuring that schools across the nation have access to the federal funds needed to provide secure, scalable, future-ready connectivity that supports the current and evolving needs of our community. We also urge the FCC not to impose overly restrictive mandates or administrative burdens, particularly around screen use and content-monitoring requirements proposed in this proceeding, as they will undermine the flexibility schools need to deliver high-quality, digital learning. Our school has already developed its own internet safety and technology policies tailored to our students and our educational mission, and we ask the Commission to preserve that local flexibility rather than impose a one-size-fits-all federal standard. Respectfully, Mark Peterson - Head of School Racine Christian School