RICHARD E. NEAL FIRST DISTRICT, MASSACHUSETTS AT- LARGE WHIP Thomas Wheeler Chairman Qtnngress nf t4e Dniteb ~fates ifouse of ittprestntatiues 1illlas~ington, mar 20515 March 25, 2014 'rq'V Federal Communications Commission 445 Twelfth Street, SW, Room 8-C445 Washington, DC 20554-0004 Dear Mr. Wheeler, COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS RANKING MEMBER, SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT REVENUE MEASURES DEMOCRATIC LEADER, FRIENDS OF IRELAND CAUCUS 1\etflNIId & Inspected l""R 3' 10'4 rOC Mall Room I am writing in behalf of Daniel Warwick, the Superintendent of Schools in Springfield, who has recently contacted my office for assistance. In late February, the Springfield Public Schools received word that the FCC had decided to not fund any Priority 2 applications for the 2013- 2014 school year, in which the district had requested nearly $4 million. This funding would have upgraded cabling and wireless in six of the largest schools, serving about 6,400 students, and continue to maintain infrastructures already in place. Since the su,rport and maintenance takes place throughout the year, the district begins incurring costs July l of the fiscal year. By the time the decision to not fund these projects occurred, the Springfield Public Schools had already used $544,560. This late decision leaves the Springfield Public Schools with a large gap in their budget, with only four months left in the fiscal year. Nearly ninety percent of the students served by the district come from low income homes, and the schools have been proactive in providing technology to support the digital-age teaching and learning for the students, but without the funding to improve programs, this cannot be done. Both myself, and the Springfield Public School District, would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide for both the funding for basic maintenance for this school year and the understanding of the importance of helping Districts maintain networks that E-Rate has helped them install. Sincerely, Richard E. Neal Member of Congress 2208 RAYBURN HOt.iSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 12021 225·5601 300 STATE STREET SUITE 200 SPRINGFIELD, MA 01105 14131· 765·0325 PRI~TED ON RECYCLED PAPER ® ..... 11 SILVIO 0. CONTE FEDERAL BUILDING 78 CENTER STREET PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 (4131442·0946