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AGENCY OF EDUCATION
AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) OF 2009:
VERMONT EDUCATION ARRA LINKS & RESOURCES
(Updated 1/17/13)

   
OVERVIEW
   
 

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.
   
STATE FISCAL STABILIZATION FUND (SFSF) RESOURCES (Updated 12/13/10)
   
 

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF or Stabilization) Resources (Updated 12/13/10)
The SFSF program provides approximately $48.6 billion in formula grants to States to help stabilize State and local budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in education and other essential services, in exchange for a State’s commitment to advance essential education reform in key areas. Almost $36.8 billion have already been awarded during SFSF Phase I. Approximately $11.5 billion will be awarded under SFSF Phase II. Use this link to view the Phase I and Phase II applications, the Phase II Assurances and links to other available SFSF resources.

   
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONER
   
  Deputy Commissioner Letter to Superintendents: What Matters Most (March 30, 2010)
This memo from Deputy Commissioner Rae Ann Knopf seeks to reach out to superintendents, principals and educators about the recent national emphasis on ranking schools and how our state fits with those expectations.
   
  Update on Vermont’s Race to the Top (RttT) Application (March 10, 2010)
Race to the Top is a competitive funding opportunity being issued in two rounds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Vermont is applying in Round 2, with the potential to receive up to $75 million over four years to support school and state efforts to realize Vermont's existing educational goals.
   
  Commissioner Memo Regarding Letter of Support/Commitment on Broadband Connectivity: Information and Guidelines (February 24, 2010)
The department is currently working with a number of state agencies to submit on behalf of all K-12 schools an application to the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This program will provide significant ARRA funding for the development of robust broadband resources to community anchor institutions including K-12 schools. The hope is that "last mile" connections can be covered with this funding and bring high-speed connectivity to schools not currently able to acquire it. It also includes schools currently connected but desiring increased bandwidth at competitive pricing. With this application, there needs to be commitment from anchor institutions with specific language that indicates need for these services.
   
  Archived ARRA Commissioner Memos for 2009
   
COMMUNICATIONS: IDEA-B
   
 

Certification Letters
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.
   
 

IDEA ARRA ASSURANCE LETTERS

 
 
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 VT-AOE ARRA Coordinator and Finance Office offer this clarification to assist in your planning and decision making:
 
1.
 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.
 
2.
 If you spend less in State and Local funds in FY2010 than in FY2009 then your SU must:
   
a.
 Document allowable exceptions to non-supplanting rules as outlined in the flow chart, and/or
   
b.
 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.
 
 

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).
   
  Corrected IDEA-B Guidance from Vermont Agency 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.
   
 

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.
   
COMMUNICATIONS: TITLE I & TITLE IID
   
  Title IID - Commissioner Memo Regarding Letter of Support/Commitment on Broadband Connectivity: Information and Guidelines
   
  Title IID 2009-2010 Awarded Content-Based Technology Grants 
From using Kindles to impact literacy to creating small 1:1 classroom computing opportunities with Netbooks, schools across Vermont devised creative ways to incorporate technology into strong content-based projects. This document provides a listing of the awarded projects.
   
 

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 Agency 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
   
COMMUNICATIONS: BUSINESS MANAGERS
   
 

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. 

   
  Federal Stimulus Coding Changes (April 16, 2009)
This e-mail message was sent to the DOE Business Manager Listserv on April 16, 2009.
   
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS & RESOURCES
   
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The department is currently compiling an FAQ document specific to Vermont concerns.
   
  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.
   
  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.
   
  Vermont Education Impact Overview - ARRA 
This document, prepared by department contains information regarding the timeline, flow of funds, flow of authority, reporting and accountability of the ARRA for Vermont education.
   
FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
 

Agency of Education ARRA Coordinator
Carol King
(802) 828-5101
carol.c.king@state.vt.us.

IDEA Recovery Funds
Karin Edwards
(802) 828-1622
karin.edwards@state.vt.us

McKinney Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth
Mike Mulcahy, State Coordinator
(802) 828-5108 (P)
(802) 828-0573 (F)
mike.mulcahy@state.vt.us

School Equipment
Laurie Colgan
(802) 828-5153
laurie.colgan@state.vt.us

Title I A Recovery Funds
David Baroudi
(802) 828-5161
david.baroudi@state.vt.us

Title I A School Improvement Funds
Karin Edwards
(802) 828-1622
karin.edwards@state.vt.us

John Fischer
(802) 828-0488
john.fischer@state.vt.us

Office of Economic Stimulus and Recovery
Coleen Krauss
(802) 828-2546
coleen.krauss@state.vt.us
     
   
 
   
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