INTERNET ACCESS

DR1: The Departamento De Educacion De Carolina is not eligible to apply for E-rate funding on behalf of the entities listed on this application. Although your letter stated the Constitution of Puerto Rico was amended through Law 40 to establish municipal autonomy, the Puerto Rico Department of Education indicated they are the only entity that can file for E-rate funding for Puerto Rico public schools. As the state education agency in the commonwealth, Puerto Rico Department of Education has the governing authority for all Puerto Rico public schools. The Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has certified that only the PR Department of Education is authorized to apply for E-rate funding for public schools. Furthermore, the Director ? Legal Division, Puerto Rico Department of Education states, ?Local Law 40 recognizes only the City of San Juan as a Local Education Agency (LEA), and therefore it is the only city that can apply for E-Rate discounts. The City of Carolina is not a LEA.? Thus, the City of Carolina is not eligible to apply for E-rate discounts on its own, and the public schools in Carolina can only be funded on applications filed by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.