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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) OF 2009:
VERMONT EDUCATION ARRA LINKS & RESOURCES
(Updated 10/7/09)
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OVERVIEW
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Education funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provide a unique opportunity to jump start school reform and improvement efforts while also saving and creating jobs and stimulating the economy. These one-time resources should be spent in ways most likely to lead to improved results for students, long-term gains in school and school system capacity, and increased productivity and effectiveness. This page serves as the main clearinghouse for information for Vermont’s education community.
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COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONER
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Commissioner Message to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (August 25, 2009)
Commissioner Armando Vilaseca recently sent this letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan regarding the Race to the Top ARRA Grant Application. He addresses several issues including how small states are different, transformation of education and the department's limited resources.
Statewide Student Information Systems (April 29, 2009)
The department is exploring the feasibility of implementing a statewide student information system as part of a competitive grant opportunity from the USDOE under ARRA. In order to secure funds to meet the assurances, the commissioner must apply for funds under ARRA Title XIII, Institute of Education Sciences, for the purpose of creating a student information system serving each supervisory union, member district and regional technical education district. We realize that some districts and supervisory unions are currently looking to purchase information systems for special education or for all students. We encourage you to consider holding off on this purchase if possible. The USDOE should be releasing a timeline for this grant process and we will provide an update at that time in future field memos. Contact: Lisa Gauvin, IT Director, at lisa.gauvin@state.vt.us.
Communication Update on the ARRA (April 22, 2009)
This memo includes the most recent information from the Commissioner about the expected use of ARRA funds, as well as how the department can increase school access to models that meet the assurances of the law.
Communication on the ARRA (February 27, 2009) |
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COMMUNICATIONS: IDEA-B (Updated 10/7/09)
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Certification Letters (Added 10/7/09)
The certification letters shall certify that the infrastructure investment has received the full view and vetting required by law and the commissioner accepts responsibility that the investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Such certification letters shall include the description of the investment, the estimated and total cost, and shall be posted on the department’s Web site.
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IDEA-B, Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Election Eligibility Clarification (Flow Chart)
In the recent Vermont Superintendents Association/Vermont Council for Special Education Administrators spring conference some questions came up during the Council of Exceptional Children presentation on ARRA around electing to use the option to reduce maintenance of effort in expending IDEA-B funds. The VTDOE ARRA Coordinator and Finance Office offer this clarification to assist in your planning and decision making: |
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If you spend the same amount or more out of State and Local funds in FY2010 as in FY2009, you have met MOE requirements and this does not apply. |
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If you spend less in State and Local funds in FY2010 than in FY2009 then your SU must: |
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Document allowable exceptions to non-supplanting rules as outlined in the flow chart, and/or |
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If and only if your SU is also designated as having “met requirements” as defined by the most recent State to Local determinations as required by IDEA you may elect to pursue an MOE adjustment as defined in the flow chart. |
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IDEA-B Basic and Pre-School Flow Through Application Forms for Regular Grant Funds and ARRA Funds for FY 2010
View the forms and information needed to apply for FY-2010 IDEA-B Basic and Pre-School Flow Through grants. This includes both the regular grant funds and the funds made available for IDEA-B under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
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Corrected IDEA-B Guidance from Vermont Department of Education ARRA Coordinator
In an IDEA guidance conference call with the field on April 30, the department erroneously reported the percentage of special education reimbursement to LEAs was reduced for FY2010 from 57% to 53%. In fact, the reimbursement rate for special education costs has not changed. To date, it continues at ~57%. We apologize for any confusion this may have created. |
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IDEA-B Basic & Preschool Guidance (April 22, 2009)
Use this link to view preliminary guidance on several important topics regarding the ARRA funds, including an overview of the purposes of the ARRA funds; principles and suggestions for use of these funds; information the department has at this time about the distribution, tracking and reporting of the funds; and several areas that require particular attention. Included in the download are charts reflecting non-supplanting requirements, proportionate share for parentally placed private school students and use of funds for coordinated early intervening services. The department is planning to provide training and more specific guidance in the future.
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COMMUNICATIONS: TITLE I & TITLE IID
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ARRA/Title IID Federal Funding Opportunities
Use this link to view grant applications specific to the stimulus or ARRA funding that the department receives from Title IID. These grants are available to a range of entities from classroom teachers to groups working with state-wide audiences. Grants will be posted as they come available over the next 3-4 months.
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Title I Conference Call Notes from April 13, 2009
This document includes questions and answers to 19 questions that were asked on the call by LEAs.
Preliminary Title I/IID ARRA Allocations (April 13, 2009)
- Preliminary Title I Allocations for FY10
View preliminary allocations for supervisory unions/supervisory districts (SU/SD). Totals include both the annual Title I allocation and the stimulus money coming via ARRA. Normal Title I rule regarding targeting and ranking apply when distributing this money to SU/SD schools.
- Preliminary Title IID Allocations for FY10
Use this link to view a table of figures that represent ANTICIPATED allocations in Title IID funds for FY 2010, which will come on July 1, 2009. ARRA funds are also indicated here and as of May 6, the Vermont Department of Education has been notified that July 1 is the ARRA date on Title IID as well. Originally, it was reported that Title IID ARRA funds would have a shorter "life span" than regular allocation monies. That has been updated and ARRA funds under Title IID are 27 month funds, expiring in September of 2011. Preliminary FY10 regular Title IID allocations are provided in this document as well.
Title I Update (March 17, 2009)
E-mail memo to Consolidated Federal Programs contacts |
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COMMUNICATIONS: BUSINESS MANAGERS
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ARRA State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF): FY 2010 ARRA Allocation ESTIMATES (July 29, 2009)
The application submitted by the State of Vermont for its share of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) has been accepted. Vermont has been awarded $77,150,071 to allocate to school districts over fiscal years 2010 and 2011, with half being available each year. Be advised these funds are not additional funds but will be disbursed as part of education spending as approved in district budgets. Education funding will be provided by two separate funding streams: from the Education Fund as revenue code 3110 and from ARRA funds as revenue code 4110. Guidance on how school districts may apply for their share of funds will also be available at a later date.
FY2010 ARRA funds to a school district will be allocated based on the same percentage as a district’s education spending is to total education spending for FY2010. The department cannot calculate final ARRA figures for school districts until all final budgets are in. NOTE: Unorganized towns and gores will not be receiving any ARRA funds.
Use the link above to view a PDF version of the estimated amounts school districts will receive in ARRA funding to support education spending for FY2010, representing the first half of ARRA funding. These numbers are estimates and will change, plus or minus. Estimates of FY2010 education spending were made for a school district without an approved budget. Again, these figures are estimates only and will change once all data are in. The estimates are also available as an Excel file using the link below. Also included below is a link to view Vermont approved SFSF application.
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ARRA and DUNS Numbers (May 1, 2009)
This is a follow-up to the April 16, 2009 message (below) regarding District and SU DUNS numbers and registration at Central Contractor Registration. This message was sent to the DOE Business Manager Listserv on May 1, 2009. |
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Federal Stimulus Coding Changes (April 16, 2009)
This e-mail message was sent to the DOE Business Manager Listserv on April 16, 2009. |
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OTHER COMMUNICATIONS & RESOURCES
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Flexible Funding Matrix: Using Multiple Funding Sources to Support Transformative Practices
This two-page funding matrix, with examples, highlights some of the multiple funding resources that may be combined to assist schools in implementing or expanding transformative practices. Note that the matrix is only designed to highlight possible uses. School administrators will still need to understand and follow eligibility and reporting requirements tied to those funds and follow "supplement not supplant" and "maintenance of effort" rules where they apply. Examples include Response to Intervention, Secondary Transformation – including Drop Out prevention strategies, Positive Behavior Supports, and Responsive Classroom. For each area of work, we have highlighted some of the major pieces of work, equipment, or activities that need to occur and be funded and listed potential resources for supporting them. For questions or information, contact Rae Ann Knopf, Vermont Department of Education ARRA Coordinator at (802) 828-0555 or rae.knopf@state.vt.us. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The department is currently compiling an FAQ document specific to Vermont concerns.
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McKinney Vento ARRA Funding for FY 2009-2010 (Revised)
This funding to LEAs is intended to assist with excess transportation expenses to schools of origin, as well as school supplies and other allowable expenses that eliminate barriers for homeless students to enroll, attend and succeed in school. |
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Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB)
View information about interest-free financing opportunities for major school renovation and modernization projects that were authorized for 2009 and 2010 under ARRA. |
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Vermont Education Impact Overview - ARRA
This document, prepared by department ARRA Coordinator Rae Ann Knopf, contains information regarding the timeline, flow of funds, flow of authority, reporting and accountability of the ARRA for Vermont education. |
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FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Department of Education ARRA Coordinator : Rae Ann Knopf
(802) 828-0555 or rae.knopf@state.vt.us
IDEA Recovery Funds: Karin Edwards
(802) 828-5118 or karin.edwards@state.vt.us
McKinney Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth: Wendy Ross
(802) 828-5148 or wendy.ross@state.vt.us
School Equipment: Laurie Colgan
(802) 828-5153 or laurie.colgan@state.vt.us
Title I A Recovery Funds: David Baroudi
(802) 828-5161 or david.baroudi@state.vt.us
Title I A School Improvement Funds: Gail Taylor
(802) 828-5158 or gail.taylor@state.vt.us
Office of Economic Stimulus and Recovery: Coleen Krauss
(802) 828-2546 or coleen.krauss@state.vt.us |
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Vermont Education ARRA Links & Resources:
Vermont Education Communication Links & Resources
National Links & Resources | Non-Education Links & Resources
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Vermont Department of Education
Current Initiatives:
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
The Transformation of Education in Vermont
The Future of Education in Vermont
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Department of Education:
Awards | Calendar of Events | Current Initiatives
Organization of the Department
Vermont Education in the News |
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