Internet in Schools

The June 10 editorial, “Reboot School-Internet Effort,” rests upon the faulty premise that the “E-rate” program invites fraud and waste with no audit checks to guard against such abuses. First, no money has been given to schools or libraries yet. And, secondly, the Schools and Libraries Corp. has put in place a number of measures to guard against potential abuses, such as creating a program integrity review unit that will review applications before money is committed to ensure that the money will be used appropriately, and a post-funding audit process. Consumers and congressmen have a right to be concerned that these funds may be used fraudulently--no one wants to see this happen, including the SLC.

Schools and libraries should not have to “stay on hold” to get connected to the modern technologies of the 21st century.

K.G. OUYE, Chair

Board of Directors

SLC, Washington