Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2007

Schools may be eligible for additional funding if they meet one or both of the two invitational priorities described below.

1. Targeted Area: Charter schools whose specified region at the time of the charter application included a targeted area will be eligible for an additional allocation of funds (currently budgeted to be approximately $25,000 per year). A targeted area is an area served by a school district that, as of the October 2005, has either:

   1. two or more schools identified as schools in need of improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Title I, Part A of the ESEA or been identified as in need of improvement as a district under Title I, Part A of the ESEA; or

   2. two or more schools identified by the Massachusetts Board of Education (MA BOE) as under-performing or been declared under-performing as a district by the MA BOE.

2. Extended Program: Charter schools whose charters specify an educational program for all students that exceeds by at least 25 hours the yearly minimum structured learning time requirements as described in Student Learning Time Regulations, 603 CMR 27:04 (900 hours for elementary students; 990 hours for secondary students), will be eligible for an additional allocation of funds (currently budgeted to be approximately $25,000 per year). The Student Learning Time Regulations are found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr27.html#Regulations.html.

Option A - Planning Period: These funds are available to charter schools that have been granted a charter but have not yet opened.

Option B - 1^st Year Implementation: These funds are available to charter schools that are in their first year of operation serving students.

Option C - 2^nd Year Implementation: These funds are available to charter schools that are in their second year of operation serving students.

Schools are given discretion on how to spend their grant funds for the planning and implementation of their charter as granted by the Board of Education, with the following exceptions:

1. Each grant recipient must spend at least $5,000 of funds for Governance Development. A common challenge for charter schools has been the lack of formal governance training for Board members. As with many new organizations, charter schools have had some difficulties with governance issues. Boards of Trustees, school leaders, parents, and staff at several schools have found that in the process of establishing the school, they have encountered competing visions of how things should be done. Other schools found that their management structure needed to be clarified and improved. This requirement of the grant is intended to help school leaders and Board members proactively meet their legal responsibilities for governing a public charter school. Activities might include funding the evaluation of current Board governance, policies, and practices. Other possible uses include holding a Board retreat, training for administrators and Board members, or funding the development of written management and governance policy manuals. A school may request to waive this spending requirement if it can demonstrate that it has secured and committed funds from other sources for this purpose.

2. Each grant recipient must spend at least $5,000 of funds for Fiscal Policies and Procedures Development. A common challenge for charter schools has been the development and documentation of sound business policies and procedures during the start-up period. This requirement of the grant is intended to help school leaders and Board members proactively set systems in place for prudent fiscal management. A school may request to waive this spending requirement if it can demonstrate that it has secured and committed funds from other sources for this purpose or has already completed this task.

3. Indirect Costs may not be charged to these grants.

4. With the exception of minor renovations required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, funds may not be used for capital construction costs.

5. Option A - Planning Period only. Funds may only be used for up to three months of facilities lease costs prior to the opening of the school to students.

All spending must be consistent with applicable state and federal regulations and guidelines.

On or before Friday, June 23, 2006.

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Note: Schools that are chartered in the 2006-2007 application cycle and that intend to open in the Fall of 2007 can access Option A - Planning Period funds through this RFP after an LEA code is assigned to their school. Please contact Cliff Chuang for more details.

Submit two (2) sets, each with the original signature of the Charter School Leader. Mail to:

Cliff Chuang
Charter School Office
Massachusetts Department of Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906