Harkin Grant

Iowa Demonstration Construction

Grant Program

 

 

 

 

 

Application Packet for

 

Construction Grant

 

 

2005-2006

 

 

 

 


Three copies of the proposal with original signatures must be postmarked or received at the Iowa Department of Education by 4:30 p.m. on December 10 January 6, 2006.

 

Electronically submitted or faxed applications will not be accepted. 

Grant applicants will be notified by March 17, 2006, regarding application status.

 

 

 

 

Iowa Department of Education

Grimes State Office Building 2nd floor

East 14th and Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA  50319-0146

 

Contact Person:  Gary Schwartz

(515) 281-4743

gary.schwartz@iowa.gov

Harkin Grant (Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program)

Grant Application for Construction Projects

 

Introduction

 

 

The Iowa Department of Education has been awarded the Iowa Demonstration Construction grant authorized by Title III of P.L. 108-199 for a total amount of $14,880,000.  The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number is 84.215.  The budget and project period is September 28, 2005, through September 27, 2008.  The School Budget Review Committee (SBRC), including the state fire marshal as a voting member, will review the recommendations from the task force and make recommendations on awards to the Department.  The Department will administer the program and disburse the grant awards.  Grants are divided into two types: fire safety and construction.  This application is for the construction portion of the funds only.

 

Purpose

Funds must be used for new school construction, reconstruction, repairing, improving, modernizing or remodeling a schoolhouse or acquiring an existing building and converting it for use as a schoolhouse.  Architect, engineering, construction management, or planning fees cannot be reimbursed from federal funds.  School districts must use these federal funds in concert with local funds.  Priority shall be given to applicant districts seeking to provide space for projects such as reducing class size, establishing preschool programs, before and after school programs, engaging in community integrated construction projects, modernizing and health and safety repairs.  These funds can also be used to create new or expand spaces within the existing structure.  These funds may be used for direct costs of construction.  The funds must be used for new activities.  New activity means a project that the board takes action to approve advertising for bids after the Iowa Department of Education’s notification of grant fund availability September 28, 2005.  A local match is required.  Federal funds should be used before expending other funds on the project.

 

Eligible Applicants

 

Iowa public school districts are eligible applicants.  A district may submit one application that  includes more than one attendance center; however, the grant award will not exceed the maximum award per category of the district.  Districts are eligible for a grant of up to $500,000.

 

Criteria for Eligibility

 

To be eligible, a district must provide a local match from one of the following sources: the issuance of bonds, the local option sales and services tax for school infrastructure, a physical plant and equipment levy, or other money locally obtained by the school district for school infrastructure excluding other state or federal moneys.  Federal fund monies from other sources cannot be used as a match source.  The percentage of local match shall be 75 percent; however, the maximum federal grant amount shall not be more than $500,000.  The Department may grant funding to eligible school districts on a conditional approval basis for up to nine months if the local match has not been obtained at the time of the application.  If the local match is an anticipated local bond issue election, it must be held no later than December 13, 2006.  The local match is met when the outcome of the election is known and the sale of bonds has taken place.  If the required local election fails or the local match is not met by the required date, then the funds will be returned to the pool and will be available for the next application cycle.  If funds remain after 36 months, the Department will develop a new award process in consultation with the United States Department of Education.  All eligible projects must comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, Iowa Code Chapter 104A, National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, and the Davis Bacon Act.  All projects must be completed no later than September 27, 2008.  An assurances form is part of this application and must be returned for the project to be considered or awarded.

 

 

 

 

Grant Size Categories

 

Funds will be awarded as follows:

 

 

 

District Category

District Enrollment Category

 

Total Funds

 

Maximum Award

 

Small

0-1199 students

$2,369,640

$500,000

 

Medium

1200-4749 students

$2,369,640

$500,000

 

Large

4750 + students

$2,369,640

$500,000

 

 

All districts

 

$2,369,640

$500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the total amount awarded in a category does not exceed the funds available in that category, the Department may reallocate the remainder to another size category.  Unused funds from previous cycles will be reallocated to the current cycle.

 

Grant Selection Process

The Department has formed a task force that will review the applications for financial assistance and provide recommendations to the SBRC.  Members of the task force and designees will review each application.  Applicants will be ranked on a point system within each category and awards will be recommended in rank order beginning with the highest points and awarded until all funds are exhausted.  The task force will make recommendations to the SBRC who will recommend to the Department grant awardees. The Department will have final determination of awards.

 

Grant Selection Criteria

Projects must be for new construction, reconstruction, repairing, improving, modernizing or remodeling a schoolhouse, or to create or expand space in existing structures, or to acquire and/or convert an existing building for use as a schoolhouse.  Priority shall be given to applicants with projects to provide space for such programs as reducing class size, establishing preschool programs, before and after school programs, community integrated construction projects, modernizing, and health and safety repairs.  Outdoor recreation, playgrounds, athletic complexes, gymnasium additions, or stadiums are not eligible.  All applications must include adequate detail of the project's intended educational value to students.  All information in the application must relate to the project as outlined in the executive summary (C).  Grant money will not be disbursed until expenditures have been made and the district has notified the Department.  Districts may request reimbursement in no more than three payments.  The final 10 percent of the grant will not be reimbursed until the project is complete and the final report has been submitted and approved.

 

Reporting

Applicants receiving awards will be required to submit an interim report to the Department one year after the grant approval and annually, thereafter, until the project is complete, describing the activities and providing information on the status of implementation of the project and expenditures of funds.  A final report is required within 45 days of completion of the project.  Project completion shall not be later than September 27, 20087.

 

Notification

If match was not met at the time of application, local districts must notify the Department of Education within 15 days of meeting the match.

 

 

Application Submission and Notification of Award

Three copies of the grant application must be postmarked or received at the Iowa Department of Education no later than 4:30 p.m., January 6, 2006.  Applications after this time will not be accepted.  The application shall be prepared on the forms provided and only one application per district may be submitted.  The three copies of the application must have original signatures.  Electronically submitted or faxed applications will not be accepted.

 

Mail or deliver to:

            Gary Schwartz, Infrastructure Consultant

            Iowa Department of Education

            Grimes State Office Building  2nd floor

            East 14th and Grand

            Des Moines, IA  50319-0146

 

Grant applicants will be notified by March 17, 20065, regarding application status.

 

Contents of the Application

All of the following requirements must be in the order listed below to be considered for a grant.  Incomplete applications will be ineligible for consideration.  Completed applications are limited to the pages as indicated below.  Font size must be no less than 11 point; however, charts and graphs no less than 10 points, excluding attachments.  Applications should not be bound or in folders.  Applications must be submitted on the forms provided, collated in the order listed below, and not exceed the number of pages indicated excluding required attachments:

 

 

Pages

Points

 

A.  Cover Page

1

 

 

B.  Assurances

1

 

 

C.  Executive Summary

2

25

 

D.  District Project Need

3

75

 

E.  District Plan

1

20

 

F.  District's Previous Efforts

3

40

 

G.  Ability to Finance

1

50

 

H.  Local Match

1

 

 

I.   Budget and Timeline for the Project

2

20

 

J.  At-Risk Student Population

1

30

 

K.  Additional Comments

1

10

 

Total Points Possible

 

270

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A:  Board Minutes (highlight pertinent action)

 

 

 

Appendix B:  Comprehensive, District-wide Infrastructure Plans/Board Minutes (highlight pertinent action)

 

 

 

Appendix C:  Bond Issue Ballots

 

 

 

Appendix D:  Voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Ballots

 

 

 

Appendix E:  Voted Local Option Sales and Services Tax for School Infrastructure Ballots

 

 

 

It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age or marital status in its programs or employment practices.  If you have questions or grievances related to this policy, please contact the Legal Consultant, Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0146, 515-281-8661.

 

Cover Page (A)

(1 Page)

 

District Enrollment as of 9/17/04                    (from certified enrollment form line 7)

 

District Name                                                                          District Number                                  

 

Building Name(s)                                                                    Building Number(s)                                            

 

District Enrollment Category (check one)

 

o  Small (up to 1,199 students)                                 Grant Amount Requested $                           

o  Medium (1,200-4,749 students)                            Project Cost (Total)    $                                 

o  Large (4,750+ students)                                        Projected Initiation Date ________________

 

Grant Contact Person                                                                                                                        

                                 (Official grant contact person who receives all grant inquiries and information)

 

 

District Office Address                                                                                                                                  

 

 

                                                IA                                                        

City                                          State                            Zip

 

 

Phone Number (         )                                      Fax Number (           )                                              

 

E-Mail Address                                                                                    AEA  #                                    

 

Certification and Assurance

I CERTIFY that, to the best of my knowledge, the information contained in the district’s application

is true, accurate and complete.  The district will abide by the assurances contained in section B.

 

Signature of Superintendent                                                                                                              

 

Typed Name of Superintendent                                                                      Date                           

 

Attach copies of the board minutes showing initiation of this project and authorization of this grant application in Appendix A.  Highlight the board action pertinent to this grant application.

 

Application Deadline: postmarked or delivered by 4:30 p.m., January 6, 2006.