October 13, 2026

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Today, October 13, is the deadline to submit public comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of E-Rate. The FCC is considering significant changes to the program, including proposals that could eliminate or restrict funding that schools and libraries depend on for affordable internet access.

Last week, AESA COO Sheila King and Noelle Ellerson Ng of AASA attended AnchorNets 2026, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition's annual conference, where the future of E-Rate was a major focus of discussion.

During the conference, SHLB released a new economic study estimating that eliminating E-Rate would cost the U.S. economy $4.2 billion annually. The study, supported by AESA and other national education organizations, reinforces what we already know: E-Rate is essential to schools, students, and communities.

Your voice matters. So do the voices of the school administrators you serve!

If your ESA hasn't submitted comments, please take a few minutes to do so today. Just as importantly, reach out to the school districts and superintendents you serve and encourage them to share how E-Rate supports their communities.

Join Tina Viletto, Esq., today, October 13, at 2:00 pm ET, to explore how an affiliated nonprofit can support funding, scholarships, professional learning, and special initiatives, including opportunities connected to the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit beginning in 2027.

Registered participants: Please use your Zoom link to join the session promptly at 2:00 pm ET. We look forward to seeing you!

The AESA Reading Leaders Club continues to meet on the third Thursday of each month, bringing ESA colleagues together for engaging conversations and a shared love of reading.

Join us Thursday, October 15, at 7:00 pm ET for a discussion of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. This genre-defying classic blends satire, science fiction, and history to explore war, trauma, fate, and free will.

Coming up next:

• November: The Under Story by Chloe Benjamin

• December: The Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel

Whether you're a regular participant or joining for the first time, we'd love to have you in the conversation!

Did you know that when your ESA is an AESA member, every employee and board member is a member, too?

Join us October 28 at 2:00 pm ET for You Belong Here: Connecting with AESA, a virtual orientation designed to help you make the most of your membership. Discover professional learning opportunities, valuable resources, national networks, and ways to connect with ESA colleagues across the country.

Whether you're new to AESA or simply looking to get more involved, there's something here for you!

The decisions ESA leaders make today will shape their organizations for years to come. Are you ready for what's next?

There's still time to join us for Business Strategy Framework 2.0: Managing Strategic Resources, October 26–27 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Led by MIT Professor Duncan Simester, alongside Doreen Marvin and Andy Pechacek, BSF 2.0 tackles critical questions around where to invest, how to navigate uncertainty, when to partner, and how to prepare for what's next.

Been to BSF before? Professor Simester continues to refresh the experience with new material, real-world examples, and fresh perspectives. And bringing your leadership team makes the experience even more valuable!

BSF 2.0 is offered just once a year.

Don't wait another year to join us!

P.S. New to the Business Strategy Framework?

BSF 1.0 will be offered December 4-5 in Orlando, immediately following the AESA Annual Conference & Expo. Learn more and register.

Congratulations to AESA member Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR) in Ohio for its outstanding success in securing funding to support schools and students!

A recent analysis by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association highlighted ESCWR's success in securing approximately $3.78 million in federal ESSER/GEER-related funding for initiatives including extended learning, tutoring, curriculum support, and family partnerships.

This recognition demonstrates the important role ESAs play in maximizing resources and creating opportunities for the districts and communities they serve.

Congratulations to the ESCWR team!

The U.S. Department of Treasury has released long-awaited regulations for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, set to begin in 2027. The guidance outlines requirements for states and scholarship-granting organizations, but questions remain about eligible expenses and participating schools. AESA plans to submit comments by the December 1 deadline and will continue monitoring developments that could impact ESAs and the districts they serve.

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2026–27 term is underway, with several cases that could have significant implications for public education. From special education and employment discrimination to religious rights and school funding, the decisions ahead could affect how schools and ESAs operate.

In a new AASA guest blog, Sonja Trainor, Executive Director of the National School Attorneys Association, breaks down the cases to watch and what they could mean for education leaders. Read the AASA Blog