Receiving federal discounts for school telecommunication services is obviously a plus; the monthly costs of Internet services add up, but it also entails a complex process that requires hyper accuracy and timely reports.

In other words, a lot of red tape. Without the proper paperwork and reports, the federal money can be lost. The Los Lunas Board of Eduction approved E-rate consulting services at their regular board meeting last week to ensure the accurate compliance for funding to keep the money flowing.

The E-rate program, established in 1997, administers the Universal Service Fund, which was developed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that schools and libraries have access to affordable telecommunications and information services.

The 20 to 90 percent discounts depend on economic need and location (urban or rural), and is highly competed for, especially in the current economic climate.

The E-rate consulting firm who was awarded the contract is Funds For Learning, out of Edmond, Okla., the largest E-rate firm in the nation, and the first formed solely for E-rate consulting.

The company will advise the district and manage the process for discounts on Internet, telephone and cell phone services, which are E-rate's priority one funding.

Any surplus after priority one will support priority two funding for internal infrastructure such as wiring to classrooms.

Securing and managing these funds are important measures in a strapped economy.

The board also approved the application process for an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant for 100 kilowatt PV (photovoltaic) Solar Energy System.

It's a competitive process, and only one grant per school district will be awarded to those who are selected.

The PV mounting types are rooftop, ground mounted or parking lot systems.

Roofs must be under 5 years old, and about 30 to 40 thousand square feet is required for any of the mounting types.

The schools selected will be models for renewable energy, will save on utilities, and reap the benefits of selling energy back to the utility companies, which can alleviate some of the school's budget deficits.

Students learning about renewable energy and solar power sciences will get operational experience to compliment their classroom work.

The Bosque Farms Elementary school renovations and additions contract was awarded to Bradbury Stamm Construction, Inc., for $8,168,850.69 to renovate the 1936 WPA building and the 1988 classroom addition and demolish the 1965 building.

The company will also re-stucco the exterior of the gym with a new roof including a new lighting system, and a new fire riser for sprinklers, plus the construction of two new buildings about 27,000 square feet and a two-story classroom addition.

The site work also includes a redesign of the bus and parent drop-offs, new concrete and landscaping.

The total budget for this project was $14,207,508 with the district allocating $2,841,502 and the Public Schools Facilities Authority (PSFA) contributing $11,366,006.

There was also an approved change order for the Katherine Gallegos Elementary re-stucco contract with Longhorn Construction Services.

It involved an increase of $101,473.83, of which 78 percent is covered by PSFA, with the district paying $22, 324.14.