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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Good morning!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">We wanted to reach out to our members regarding the call to action that is circulating throughout the K12 community. The future of the E-Rate program is under review as the Federal Communications Commission considers
changes that could reduce or eliminate this critical source of support for schools. Because many districts rely on E-Rate to make internet access, broadband services, and network infrastructure affordable, any significant changes to the program could place
substantial financial pressure on local budgets and potentially affect the technology services available to students and educators.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) encourages education leaders and other stakeholders to speak out in support of preserving E-Rate. Attached are materials from SHLB explaining the issue
and providing a response template. Districts may use the template as provided or personalize it with examples demonstrating how E-Rate supports their schools, staff, and students.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">SHLB information and response resources are available here:<br>
<a href="https://www.shlb.org/save-our-e-rate" title="https://www.shlb.org/save-our-e-rate">SHLB Save Our E-Rate</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Also attached is a petition created by CoSN (Consortium for School Networking). The document,
<b>Invitation to Join CoSN Petition Urging Congress to Protect E-Rate Email</b>, contains links to the petition as well as links to nationwide discussions by fellow educators.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="color:black">To join the CoSN petition, go to: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="elementtoproof"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuw2CdJfA9vjvXRAZduv--rOE0M1midLWQBmY4OjTF0XpvDw/viewform" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuw2CdJfA9vjvXRAZduv--rOE0M1midLWQBmY4OjTF0XpvDw/viewform">Petition
to Protect E-Rate and America's Digital Learning Connectivity</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Please review these materials and consider participating in this advocacy effort.
<u>Comments should be submitted by the end of the month.</u> A strong response from the education community will help demonstrate the importance of maintaining reliable and affordable connectivity for schools throughout Ohio.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Thank you for your attention and support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Thor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Thor Sage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Miami Valley Technology and Communications Group<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">937-767-1468 x3101<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img border="0" width="134" height="92" style="width:1.3958in;height:.9583in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.png@01DD1A77.1D780C20"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Not-for-profit Technology Services for Education and Local Governments<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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