eTech Ohio Ohio K-12 Network

Program Overview

The Ohio K-12 Network is a joint effort between eTech Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). The Ohio K-12 Network was created in FY00 to provide funding to assist Ohio school districts in connecting to the statewide, K-12 educational technology network. The Ohio K-12 Network offers services to all public school districts in the State of Ohio, linking classrooms to each other and the Internet, while providing access to voice, data, video, electronic mail and other educational resources for students, teachers and administrators.

Questions relating to the Ohio K-12 Network application process should be directed to the Ohio K-12 Network staff. Fiscal related questions should be directed to Dean Reineke at the Ohio Department of Education.

FY11 Ohio K-12 Network Application

For the FY12 funding cycle, districts will need to complete the online application including an updated Wide Area Network (WAN) diagram. Applicants were also required to complete an eligible Funding Year 2011 E-Rate application. Per-building allocations for FY12 have been changed to $1,800 per eligible building. Eligible entities include Public Schools, Community Schools, qualifying Educational Service Centers, Joint Vocational Schools, Ohio School for the Deaf, Ohio School for the Blind, and the Department of Youth Services. Non-public schools should contact their Information Technology Centers (ITC) to inquire about their eligibility and application requirements for connectivity funding. In order to receive funding, all entities must be in compliance with the program guidelines. The application deadline for this year is October 31, 2011.

Connectivity Rules for the 2011-2012 School Year

The Ohio K-12 Network Planning Committee's Technical Subcommittee has established the following connectivity rules for the 2011-2012 (FY11) school year:

Application and Review Process

  • eTech Ohio will post the online application.


  • All subsidy applications (application and WAN diagram) must be completed and submitted to eTech Ohio by October 31, 2011. No applications will be accepted after that date.


  • All completed applications will be reviewed by regional Information Technology Centers for accuracy.


  • This review will be completed by November 16, 2011.


  • School districts will have until November 30, 2011, to revise an application, if necessary, based on the ITC review.


  • Reviewed applications will then be processed by eTech Ohio and ODE by January 22, 2012.


  • Funds for approved applications will be distributed periodically once the approval process begins.


  • The entire amount of funding must be encumbered on or before June 30, 2012.


  • All funds must be liquidated on or before September 30, 2012.


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  • All unused funds must be returned to the Ohio Department of Education.


  • Please note: While entities will only have to apply once, payments will now be made bi-annually with the first half of the award being processed after the application is approved and the second half of the award being processed in spring of FY12.

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