COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

 

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 71

April 1, 2005

 

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Virginia Preschool Initiative Grant Application Package for Fiscal Year 2006 (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006)

 

 

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the Virginia Preschool Initiative application package for 2005-2006. This initiative provides programs for at-risk four-year-old children that include quality preschool education, health services, social services, parental involvement, and transportation. Programs must be planned to provide services for the entire school year and must operate on a full-day schedule. For a new program in the first year of implementation only, a program operating less than a full school year shall receive state funds on a fractional basis determined by the pro-rata portion of a school year program provided.

 

The staffing requirements have changed to comply with Section 22.1-199.1C of the Code of Virginia. The maximum class size will be 18 students. One teacher will be employed for any class of nine students or less. If the average daily membership in any class exceeds nine students but does not exceed 18, a full-time teachers aide will be assigned to the class.

 

It is anticipated that state funds for the program will be distributed based on an allocation formula providing the state share of a $5,400 grant per child for 100 percent of the estimated unserved at-risk four-year olds in each locality. The projected local distribution of state funds for each locality for school year 2005-2006 is on an Excel spreadsheet and is based on the estimated formula-driven entitlement available for each locality. If the locality chooses to serve fewer children than the total number allocated by formula, by inserting the actual number of children to be served in the Excel spreadsheet, the state and local shares of cost will automatically be recomputed. Actual appropriation, subject to final budget actions by the General Assembly and the Governor, may result in a different distribution of state funds available to each locality in fiscal year 2006. In the event the 2005-2006 funding distributions change from those shown in the Excel spreadsheet due to final budget actions, updated information will be provided to you when it becomes available.

 

All eligible localities must submit the Intent To Apply Form whether the locality chooses to apply for funds or not. The intent form is due May 1, 2005. The application must be submitted to the Department of Education no later than May 15, 2005. Please send one original, unbound copy with all required signatures to the following address:

 

Cheryl Strobel

Virginia Department of Education

Office of Elementary Instruction

101 North 14th Street-20th Floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

 

The intent form, application, guidelines, and Excel spreadsheet with budget information is available at the following website address:

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Elem_M/early.html.

If you have program questions, please contact Cheryl Strobel (Cheryl.Strobel@doe.virginia.gov), early childhood education specialist, at (804) 371-7578. Budget questions should be directed to Leigh Williams (Leigh.Williams@doe.virginia.gov), budget analyst, at (804) 225-2025.

JLD/CPS/rt