FY2022: School District Regionalization Targeted Grant

Fund Code: 191A

Purpose:

The purpose of this state-funded targeted grant program is to extend the timeline for the expenditure of funds that were appropriated and awarded in FY2021 under Fund Code 191. Funds were initially awarded to assist regional school districts, school districts, municipalities and other entities (applicants) that are (1) considering formation of a regional school district or enlargement or expansion of an existing regional school district, and/or (2) considering regionalizing services as a step toward regionalization, subject to the detailed categories and the priorities below. The FY22 General Appropriations Act included as part of line item 7061-9809 language allowing funds appropriated for the line item in fiscal year 2021 to be expended for this purpose until December 31, 2021.

Priorities:

Funds will be awarded to applicants continuing work on projects funded by Fund Code 191 grant in FY2021.

Eligibility:

Grant recipients of FY2021 School District Regionalization Grants are eligible to apply for the FY2022 School District Regionalization Continuation Grant. Applicants may apply for the balance of FY2021 Fund Code 191 funds awarded to them when the FY2021 Fund Code 191 grants are closed out (when all recipients' FR-1s are filed and approved, and unspent balances are returned).

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $485,500 total funding is available for distribution to FY2021 Fund Code 191 recipients, subject to the balance of FY2021 funds following closure of FY2021 projects, and distributed subject to the Department's discretion.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Applicants should be aware that following initial review of applications, the Department may request modified documentation, including revised Parts I, II and Progress Report, and applicants must submit modified documentation within timelines requested by the Department.

Fund Use:

Recipients that apply timely are advised that awarded funds are expected be available for draw down in September 2021 for the same purposes detailed in the FY2021 applications for Fund Code 191 grant, contingent upon the closeout of all FY2021 Fund Code 191 projects and the return of funds, as may be applicable. Any eligible expenses from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 can be claimed against the Fund Code 191A grant, provided:

• the expenditure was approved in the FY2021 application (budget workbook); and
• the expenditure is also listed and approved in the FY2022 application (budget workbook).

Project Duration:

July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021*

*funds appropriated for this purpose in fiscal year 2021 may be expended for this purpose until December 31, 2021

Program Unit:

Regional Governance

Contact:

Michelle Griffin

Phone Number:

(781) 338-6515

Date Due:

Friday, September 17, 2021

Proposals for this grant must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants - an original signature of the Superintendent or Executive Director or Chair of Select Board is required).

• Part II — Proposed FY22 Budget Template with Comments — Must be directly entered in EdGrants

• Progress report on use of FY2021 Fund Code 191 funds through June 30, 2021. Progress report should be no more than one page. Progress report should be tied to the Part III of the original FY2021 grant, reflect expenditures under FY2021 approved budget, and make clear what portions of the project were achieved by June 30, 2021, and what portions of the project will be continued until December 31, 2021.

Additional Information:

Applicants that receive awards (recipients) under this Fund Code will be required to provide a final report on the project following the close of the grant period. The due date and instructions for the final report will be provided to recipients at a future date.

Submission Instructions:

All Required Forms must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2021 to the Department in EdGrants, following the instructions below. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The Department hopes to advise of awards by late September 2021.

EdGrants Instructions:

• Log in to EdGrants

• Register to the Funding Opportunity for FY22 FC 191 A School District Regionalization Continuation Grant

• Create the project and name it "FY22 191A Applicant / LEA Name"

• Complete all formlets of the Application Submission in Ed Grants.

• All items listed under the Required Forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. All documents should be saved and submitted with the Fiscal Year, Fund Code, LEA Code and District/Town/Agency name, and name of document. (For example, "FY22 FC 191A [LEA # District/Town/Agency Name] Part I.pdf.")

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the district/town/agency to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: September 8, 2021