Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

Schools are eligible for additional funding if they meet the priorities described below.

1. Expanded Learning Time (up to an additional $65,000 per year): The charter school will provide all of its students with a rigorous, coherent educational program using expanded learning time. A school will be considered to be providing expanded learning time if it operates a calendar/schedule that provides a rigorous, coherent educational program of at least 1,300 hours annually for all students. (Massachusetts regulations require all elementary schools to provide at least 900 hours of structured learning time and all secondary schools to provide at least 990 hours of structured learning time.)

2. Targeted Area (up to an additional $50,000 per year): The charter school will serve and physically locate in a targeted area. A targeted area is defined as a Title I school district that is in Corrective Action status under NCLB - in the aggregate or for subgroups for either English language arts or mathematics -based on the most recent determination available at the time of the charter application. (See Appendix B of 2008-2009 Application for a Massachusetts Public Charter School for a list.) In the case of a Horace Mann conversion, this criteria will be considered to be met if the school itself is identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under NCLB.

3. Secondary School Focus (up to an additional $10,000 per year): The charter school will serve a secondary school population through the completion of high school in a targeted area. A middle/high school serving grades 6 through 12 or a high school serving grades 9 through 12 will meet this priority. However, a middle school serving just grades 6 through 8 will not meet this priority.

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 Elementary and Secondary Education, as long as the following requirements and monitoring benchmarks are met. You will provide more detail as instructed in Part III - Required Program Information.

Option A - Planning Period

1. Budget narrative includes at least $5,000 for fiscal policies and procedures development and $10,000 for curriculum and assessment system development.

2. Prior planning period fiscal audit submitted or waiver to extend audit period.

3. Pre-enrollment numbers submitted consistent with charter.

4. Attendance at all spring Opening Procedures trainings.

Option B - 1^st Year Implementation

1. Budget narrative includes at least $10,000 for data management systems.

2. Completed Opening Procedures Checklist.

3. Planning year fiscal audit submitted.

4. Enrollment figures verified.

5. Successful full-day on-site verification of initial implementation of all major federal and state programs (Special Education, English Language Learners, Title I, and Nutrition).

Option C - 2^nd Year Implementation

1. Budget narrative includes at least $5,000 for governance development and at least $5,000 for an external review of school operations.

2. Draft Accountability Plan and Annual Report for Year 1 submitted prior to start of Year 2.

3. Year 1 fiscal audit submitted.

4. Enrollment figures verified.

5. Accountability Plan is approved.

For All Eligible Charter Schools

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

2. With the exception of minor renovations required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, funds may not be used for capital construction or facilities lease costs. For Option A - Planning Period only, funds may 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, July 11, 2008.

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

Note: Schools that are chartered in the 2008-2009 application cycle and intend to open in the fall of 2009 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 or chair of the school's board of trustees. Mail to:

Cliff Chuang
Charter School Office
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023