Competitive Grants
November 9, 2009 (VDOE) – Due to the Veterans’ Day holiday, the deadline for local school divisions to apply for financing of energy efficiency improvements and renovations, as well as renewable energy projects for public school buildings has been extended to November 12, 2009. On October 14, 2009, Governor Timothy M. Kaine had announced the availability of $119 million through the Qualified School Construction Bond program (QSCB).
October 23, 2009 (Virginia Department of Treasury) – Additional guidance has been provided concerning the use of Qualified School Construction Bonds with regard to qualifying energy projects.
October 6, 2009 (USED) – U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund. The fund will support local efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that help close the achievement gap and improve outcomes for students.
September 28, 2009 (VDOE) – A mandatory bidders’ meeting for all 2009 Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grant Program applicants will be held on October 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Jefferson Meeting Room on the 22nd floor of the James Monroe Building in Richmond. Bidders may attend in person or through a virtual conference.
July 30, 2009 (Office of the Governor) – Recipients of ARRA grants that intend to use stimulus fund money to hire workers are directed by Executive Order 85 (PDF) to post job openings on the Virginia Workforce Connection.
Additional federal stimulus funds from ARRA will be made available in fall 2009 through competitive grants. Competitive grants are financial awards for which the U.S. Department of Education (USED) and other federal agencies have the discretion to:
- Select recipients from among eligible recipients;
- Make or deny awards based on the programmatic, technical and scientific content of an application; and
- Determine the amount of funding awarded.
Information about PK-12-related competitive grants awarded by USED and other federal agencies is available in weekly Virginia Liaison Office ARRA Competitive Grant Alerts on Stimulus.Virginia.Gov.
- See Stimulus.Virginia.Gov - Competitive Grant opportunities for information and weekly updates.
Uses of Funds
- July 30, 2009 (Office of the Governor) – Governor Timothy M. Kaine directs by Executive Order 85 (PDF) employers to post recruitment notices for positions fully or partially funded by ARRA on the Virginia Workforce Connection.
Impact Aid Discretional Construction Program
Eligible school divisions have until October 1, 2009, to apply for ARRA Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Program funds for emergency repairs and modernization of school facilities. Specific eligibility requirements and additional information.
Qualified School Construction Bonds
Local school divisions and localities may compete for allocations of Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) issued by the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA). The $119 million allocation is to be used to finance energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy retrofits to existing public school buildings. By targeting the bond allocations to energy efficiency improvements to school buildings and energy retrofits like solar panel installation, school divisions will reduce their energy use, cut costs and stimulate the local economy by creating green jobs.
The application includes detailed requirements for the allocations. The deadline for applications is November 12, 2009.
- October 23, 2009 (Department of the Treasury and VDOE) - Updated memo (PDF) with information relating to applications for competitive awards of Qualified School Construction Bond allocations and Questions – Answers: Qualified School Construction Bonds (Word)
- October 14, 2009 (VDOE) - Qualified School Construction Bond Program Application (XLS) (revised 10/29/09)
- October 14, 2009 (Office of the Governor) - News release on availability of $119 ARRA bond authorizations for local school divisions
- October 14, 2009 (Treasurer of Virginia & VDOE) - Transmittal letter: Application for Competitive Awards of Qualified School Construction Bond Allocation (PDF)
- October 6, 2009 (Treasurer of Virginia & VDOE) - Letter from state treasurer and superintendent of public instruction (PDF) announcing upcoming competition for allocation of Qualified School Construction Bonds. Letter includes questions and answers on the bond program
Race to the Top
Under the $5 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) reserved by the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to make competitive grants, USED will conduct a national competition for a $4.35 billion state incentive "Race to the Top" fund to improve education quality and results. The Race to the Top fund is intended to improve student achievement by supporting states that are making dramatic progress and effectively using other ARRA funds. Race to the Top grants will be made in fall 2009 and spring 2010.
At the March 26, 2009, meeting of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said, “As a pioneer state in standards-based reform, data quality, teacher effectiveness and school improvement, Virginia has much to share and looks forward to collaborating with other states through the Race to the Top incentive program to improve teaching and learning in the commonwealth and the nation.”
- August 28, 2009 –
- July 29, 2009 (USED) - USED solicits public comment on proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for Race to the Top grants. Notice from Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-17909.pdf (summary of the proposed requirements for states to be competitive for Race to the Top funds begins on page 59). Submit comments to USED by August 26, 2009, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. See July 29 Information Alert for more information.
Invest in What Works
USED is setting aside $650 million of the $5 billion competitive grant fund for "Invest in What Works and Innovation" awards for districts and nonprofit groups with strong track records of success. Guidelines and applications for these competitive grants will be posted when available.
Proposed priorities for Investing in Innovation Grants (PDF) — USED is now accepting public comment on the proposed priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund grants. USED plans to publish a final application in early 2010 and accept proposals in the spring. All money under the program will be obligated by September 30, 2010.
USED Power Point presentation on proposed priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund (PPT)
Jobs for Virginia Graduates
The Virginia General Assembly continues to allocate funds to Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) for programs in local school divisions using the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) national model. VDOE serves as fiscal agent for these programs. The primary mission of the JVG program is to assist high school students who are at risk of dropping out, or have other barriers to graduation and provide additional supports that enable these students to graduate, secure, and retain quality jobs.
Three programs are being offered independently or in combination:
- The senior-only model
- the multi-year model for grades 9-12
- the middle school model for grades 7-8
School divisions use grant funds to employ a job specialist who will work directly with the students meeting the program criteria. Job specialists are required to attend national training seminars each summer in the month of July. The JVG model is presently serving students in 22 school divisions.
ARRA has provided JVG $100,000 for the 2009-2010 school year to offer grants in amounts up to $22,500. The grants are being administered by the Virginia Community College System and the Senior Advisor to the Governor for Workforce Daniel G. LeBlanc. Program information is available at the JVG Web site. If additional monies are available for the 2010-2011 school year, divisions receiving 2009-2010 grants will have preferred status for that money.
School divisions interested in submitting an application for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010), may obtain forms and applications from Temple Glenn, JVG administrative assistant at (540) 520-1494. Applications are due to the Jobs for Virginia Graduates office no later than July 15, 2009. Inquiries should be directed to President and CEO Barry Glenn at (804) 513-1931.