 ODE calculations for estimates will be maintained and updated as the department continues to receive information about how or when sponsoring districts partner with charter schools who are eligible to join a district’s SIA application.
Allowable Uses for SIA Grant Funds
Grant funds must be based upon needs identified through focused community and student engagement and aligned to the district continuous improvement plan, relevant data, and consider the recommendations of the state’s summary of recommendation from the Quality Education Commission. Allowable uses include: (1) increasing instructional time, (2) addressing students’ health and safety needs, (3) evidence-based strategies to reduce class sizes or staff caseloads, and (4) increasing participation in well-rounded learning experiences. To receive funding, school districts and charter schools must comply with application requirements set forth in the Student Success Act and informed by guidance provided by ODE for engagement and planning. Districts and charter schools eligible to apply independently are allowed to utilize up to five percent or $500,000, whichever is lower, for indirect costs.
Distribution of Funds
An approximate total distribution of $471,873,500 is projected for the first year of the SIA program - covering July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. SIA funds for the first year will be distributed to districts on a quarterly basis (every three months) after July 2020. This distribution method is intended to support districts to prepare for full implementation prior to the start of the 2020 school year.
Any allocated funds that are not used by a grant recipient by June 30, 2021 will be returned to the Student Investment Account for distribution in the next biennium. Grant recipients may request an extension to spend funds until September 30, 2021. The request must be submitted and approved by ODE.
The SIA distribution formula is based on laws identified under section 13 of HB 3427 and temporary rules recently adopted by the State Board of Education under OAR 581-014-0004. These rules include the following clarifications:
(1) For the 2019-21 biennium, the Oregon Department of Education will determine:
(a) The amount of grant funds from the Student Investment Account to be apportioned among eligible applicants for each year of the biennium; and
(b) The amount of reserve fund to be held in the Student Investment Account. The reserve fund shall be based on prudent fiscal standards that mitigate the risk of revenue fluctuations.
(2) For purposes of establishing the amount of grant funds apportioned to eligible applicants, the Oregon Department of Education will use the most current finalized ADMw from the State School Fund from the prior year.
(3) If a school district has an ADMw of 50 or less, it will receive an allocation based on an ADMw of 50.
(4) If an eligible applicant does not apply for a grant from the Student Investment Account by the close of the application period, the amount of their grant funds will revert to the Student Investment Account and be reallocated within the grant award cycle. An eligible applicant that does not apply for a grant will be eligible in the next application process for the Student Investment Account.
(5) Following approval of the grant agreement, an eligible recipient will receive payments of at least 25 percent on a quarterly basis. If adjustments to installment payments are required, a lower percentage may be used.
(6)(a) Any allocated funds that are not used by a grant recipient by June 30, 2021 will be returned to the Student Investment Account for distribution in the next biennium.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a grant recipient may request an extension to spend funds until September 30, 2021. A request must be made to the Department of Education. The Department of Education may approve the request if the spending aligns to the recipient’s grant agreement.
(7) Funds received by a grant recipient under this section must be separately accounted for and must be used in accordance with the recipient’s grant agreement for the Student Investment Account.
(8) The Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction shall resolve any issues arising from the administration of the Student Investment Account grants not specifically addressed by this rule. The Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction's determination shall be final.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions about the estimate, please contact Director Mike Wiltfong in the Office of Finance and Information Technology or Scott Nine, Assistant Superintendent in the Office of Education Innovation and Improvement.
Thank you,
Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education
Scott Nine, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Education Innovation and Improvement
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