Schools and libraries across the Olathe area could face higher internet costs if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) scales back the E-Rate program, a federal subsidy that helps more than 100,000 schools and 11,000 libraries nationwide afford broadband.

The FCC voted June 25 to open a sweeping review of E-Rate, which provides about $3 billion a year in discounts on internet access and telecommunications, according to the Schools Superintendents Association (AASA). The agency is accepting public comments through Oct. 13, before crafting a formal proposal.

Stateline reported that education officials and library advocates are alarmed by the review's scope. The FCC stated it is examining whether the program should be narrowed or reoriented to reflect how far its connectivity goals have been met, according to its Federal Register notice published Aug. 14.

Among the questions the FCC is asking: whether E-Rate support should be limited to rural areas or places served by a single internet provider, whether some subsidized services are still necessary, and whether student screen-time concerns should factor into the program.

Internet connectivity in modern schools extends far beyond the classroom. Stacy Hawthorne, executive director of EdTech Leaders Alliance, described that dependence at a virtual town hall hosted by the AASA on Sept. 10.

"It's not just email and Google Docs. Imagine it's 5:30 a.m., the buses start coming to life. They use GPS routing, and they have parent-facing tracking apps," Hawthorne said. "Cameras come to life, the security systems start running at full speed."

Internet-connected systems also power building ventilation, attendance records, school meals and student health information, Hawthorne said.

Olathe Public Schools, the second-largest district in Kansas with nearly 28,000 students across 58 campuses, is among the thousands of districts nationwide that could be affected if E-Rate discounts shrink. The program offers discounts ranging from 20% to 90% on eligible services, with the steepest discounts going to the most disadvantaged schools and libraries. Nationally, $13.2 billion in E-Rate funding was committed over funding years 2021 through 2025, covering 98.1% of U.S. counties, according to the AASA's Protect E-Rate site.

No local officials have commented publicly. Specific E-Rate dollar amounts received by Olathe USD 233, De Soto USD 232, Gardner-Edgerton USD 231 or Spring Hill USD 230 were not available in public records reviewed for this article.

Shawnda Hines, deputy director of communications for the American Library Association, said 73% of U.S. public libraries rely on E-Rate to pay their internet bills or keep networks updated, according to the Stateline report.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said June 3 the review was aimed at empowering parents and ensuring the program produces strong educational outcomes. The review is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, not a final rule. One advocate's estimate puts the earliest possible final order in early 2027, according to an ErateSync analysis of the proceeding.

Residents, parents and school officials can file comments through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System at fcc.gov/ecfs under Docket No. 26-133. Reply comments are due Nov. 12.