FY2022: Strategic Support for School and District Improvement (SDI) Grant

Fund Codes: 524/303

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted grant program is to support schools and districts in their improvement efforts arising from DESE reviews of school and district performance.

Eligibility:

This grant opportunity is currently only open to Boston and Brockton Public Schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Further districts can become eligible in subsequent years as DESE continues monitoring efforts. Districts being funded, as well as the amount being funded, is contingent upon receipt and availability of Massachusetts' State Targeted Assistance funds.

Funding Type:

FC 524: State
FC 303: Federal CFDA: 84.010

Funding:

There is currently approximately $2,000,000 available of Massachusetts State Targeted Assistance funds (FC 524) and approximately $160,000 available in Federal Title I Section 1003 School Improvement Reservation funds (FC 303). All SDI funding is contingent upon availability of State Targeted Assistance and Title I Funds.

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.

Fund Use:

Fund use must be consistent with applicable state and federal requirements along with any MOUs the district and DESE have agreed upon (if applicable). All expenditures must closely align with identified improvement activities and initiatives.

Unallowable expenditures:

• Contract buyouts.
• Expenses that supplant what the district would have funded, absent this grant
• Expenses that do not directly align with agreed upon activities and initiatives

All expenditures will be closely reviewed as they relate to the priorities of this grant opportunity.

Project Duration:

FC 524: Upon Approval – June 30, 2022
FC 303: Upon Approval – August 31, 2022

LEAs are awarded an SDI Grant from grant approval through June 30, 2022. A detailed FY2022 budget is required. The original award total cannot be increased.

FY2023 funds, if applicable, will need to be applied for during the FY2022 grant cycle.

Program Unit:

Office of Effective Practices in Turnaround

Contact:

Michael Seymour — (781) 338-3514

Date Due:

Wednesday August 15, 2021

The EdGrants submission, including a signature page, budget and narrative explanation must be received at the Department by the due date.

Required Forms:

• FY2022 Part I (School Year) General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• SDI Narrative Form

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

Any grant questions, including submission questions can be directed to Michael Seymour.

In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

• FY22 524 SDI Boston

  Or

• FY22 303 SDI Brockton

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. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

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

Please note: It is up to the district 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.

Districts must complete the Application Submission including the budget in EdGrants in order to receive their funding. The Application Submission in EdGrants can be completed as soon as the RFP is posted.

Last Updated: July 7, 2021