COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 19

May 3, 2002

ADMINISTRATIVE

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Special Education Local Improvement (Sliver) Grant Awards

We are pleased to announce the release of local improvement (sliver) grant funds under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (reference December 14, 2001, Supts. Memo No. 60, Administrative). Each local education agency (LEA) and state-operated program (SOP) was allocated an amount equal to $17.53 per special education pupil, with $5,000 minimum if fewer than 50 pupils are served, and $25,000 minimum if 50 or more pupils are served. All eligible LEAs and SOPs have applied for grants, so there will be no unused allocations to be redistributed on a proportionate basis to all the applicants.

The grant period extends from January 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003. No funds may be encumbered after September 30, 2003. Final requests for reimbursement must be received by November 30, 2003. The grant award number must be referenced in all communications and reimbursement requests relative to this project. Funds may be used only for the activities stipulated in the approved application. Reimbursement for expenditures cannot be honored where program or budget modifications are implemented without prior approval. Project reimbursement and amendment requests must be made using the forms provided in the Handbook of Procedures and Forms for Requesting Federal Program Reimbursements under Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) and Special Education (IDEA).

The amount of sliver grant funds approved for each division is shown on the attached grant award list. For LEAs and SOPs for which the application status is indicated as "approved", this memorandum serves as your official grant award notification and you may obligate funds and request reimbursement.

This memorandum also serves as the official grant award notification for LEAs and SOPs for which the application status is indicated as "conditional approval." You may obligate funds as specified in your budget proposal, but reimbursement requests will not be processed until final approval of the remaining aspects of your application.

An application status of "pending" means the application either has not been fully reviewed by Department of Education staff or the need for significant revision has been communicated to the local contact person. Individual grant award notices will be issued to LEAs and SOPs for whom the application status is indicated as "pending" after their applications have been finally approved.

Questions pertaining to sliver grant awards may be directed to John Mitchell, Associate Director, Office of Special Education and Student Services at (mail to: jmitchell@mail.vak12ed.edu) or (804) 225-2704.

JLD:crv

Attachments

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/adm019a.pdf