School Facilities Planning Division Webinars - June 16, 2009
The California Department of Education, School Facilities Planning Division will be conducting two webinars to discuss the new Plan Summary Form. The purpose of the Plan Summary form is to provide an applicant local education agency (LEA) with a format to describe a project's compliance with the school design standards contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (Title 5) sections 14001 and 14030, and if necessary, to request and justify any exemptions to a standard (Title 5 Section 14030[r]).
In addition updates to Forms SFPD 4.07 and 4.08 will be discussed.
Registration for June 16, 2009 Webinar - 1:30 to 3:30 (Outside Source)
Click on "Join". No username or password is necessary.
Instructions for the Audio Portion of the Webinars
May 21, 2009 Power Point Presentation, Coalition for Adequate School Housing
Power Point Presentation from the Coalition for Adequate School Housing Spring Conference (PPT, 282KB; 32 slides)
This Power Point presentation was presented by Kathleenj. Moore on May 21, 2009 at the Coalition for Adequate School Housing Spring Conference.
Accessible version to the Power Point presentation from the Coalition for Adequate School Housing Spring Conference
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
ARRA funding opportunities for school facilities and energy efficiency.
Application for the Third Round of Career Technical Education Facilities Program Now Available
The application for the third round of the Career Technical Education Facilities Program is now available. Proposition 1D provides $500 million for the construction of new career technical education facilities and the modernization of existing career technical educational facilities. There is approximately $82.8 million available for this round of funding. Applications are due September 18, 2009.
February 26, 2009 Power Point Presentation, Coalition for Adequate School Housing
Power Point Presentation Re-Visioining School Facility Planning and Design for the 21st Century Roundtable, Creating Optimal Learning Environments, Overview, Summary, and Next Steps (PPT; 24.3MB; 50 slides)
This Power Point presentation was presented by Kathleen J. Moore and Fred Year on February 26, 2009 at the Coalition for Adequate School Housing Annual Conference
Accessible version to the Power Point presentation Re-Visioning School Facility Planning and Design for the 21st Century Roundtable, Creating Optimal Learning Environments, Overview, Summary, and Next Steps
Funds Available to School Districts to Clean Up Underground Storage Tanks
Assembly Bill 2729, which was approved by the Governor, creates a School District Account in the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (Outside Source) and transfers $30 million to this account over the course of three years. Additionally, it increases the cost threshold for using a removal action workplan from $1 million to $2 million.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) Facilities Impact
The stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) (Outside Source), was signed by President Obama on Monday, February 17, 2009. The legislation has two major components that impact school facilities, one is in the stabilization section of the law and the other is in the tax section.
Stabilization Funds and School Modernization, Renovation, and Repair (beginning on page 165 of H.R. 1)
The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) (Outside Source) has a good summary of the stimulus package in regards to school facilities renovation, repair, and modernization.
In summary, there is no specific set aside of facilities funds or establishment of a program, however, stabilization funds may be used by Local educational Agencies (LEA) for such. Additionally, 18.2 percent of the stabilization funds have been set aside for Governors' determination of use for public safety or other governmental services including school modernization, renovation, and repair. We do not know yet how our Governor will proceed.
Overall, the stimulus bill appropriates $53.6 billion nationwide for education stabilization of which California expects $3.9 billion for k-higher education (81.8 percent of funds) and approximately another $1 billion for the 18.2 percent of stabilization funds mentioned above.
The stabilization language reads "...a local education agency may use funds for...or modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, including modernization, renovation, and repairs that are consistent with a recognized green building rating system." Prohibited uses are: stadiums, vehicles, stand alone facilities whose purpose is not for the education of children, including central offices and logistical support facilities.
Further information regarding the various education provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been posted by the Department under Hot Topics.
Tax Credit Bonds for Schools (beginning on page 241 of H.R. 1)
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (existing program) - The legislation extends and expands the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program for 2009 and 2010. The amount authorized nationwide is $1.4 billion for each 2009 and 2010. We do not know yet the total amount that will be authorized to California for this existing program. Currently, the Department has $20 million in unused 2007 authorization. The Department continues to take applications for these credits.
The School Facilities Planning Division administers the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program by authorizing the issuance of tax credit bonds to qualified applicants. The application cycle for the 2009 and 2010 credits is still to be determined once the total authorized amount is known to the Department.
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds are tax-credit bonds that provide bondholders with a tax credit in lieu of interest. Proceeds from the sale of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds must be used for the purpose of renovating, purchasing equipment, developing curriculum and/or training school personnel at a qualified zone academy. A qualified zone academy is a public school that provides education and training below the college level, operates a special academic program in cooperation with business to enhance the academic curriculum and increase graduation and employment rates. A ten percent business contribution is required.
Qualified School Construction Bonds (new program) - A new category of tax credit bonds may be issued in 2009 and 2010 to finance the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of public school facilities or for the acquisition of land on which a public school facility will be constructed. These bonds are subject to a nationwide limitation of $11 billion for each of 2009 and 2010. The national limitation amount will be split between the states (60 percent) and large local school districts (40 percent). The State's allocation will be proportionate to Title 1 funding. We do not know the amount authorized for California at this time. We anticipate regulations promulgated by the Federal Treasury Department will be necessary prior to this program proceeding.
Similar to Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, Qualified School Construction Bonds will provide the bondholder with a tax credit in lieu of their receiving interest resulting in an interest-free or very low-interest loan to the lEA. However, the Qualified School Construction Bonds are less restricted as to use and eligibility criteria.
School Facilities Planning Division's Advisory Committee
The School Facilities Planning Division's Advisory Committee assists in developing policies and in advising division leadership on strategic issues regarding the design, construction, and funding of 21st century school facilities. Applications (DOC; 30KB; 1pp) are being accepted for individuals to represent the following:
- District Superintendent
- Large District, northern California (25,000+ enrollment)
- Medium District, central California (5,000 to 24,999 enrollment)
- Charter Schools
Senate Bill 13 (Chapter 519, Statutes of 2007) Requirements
Senate Bill 13 (Chapter 519, Statutes of 2007) added California Education Code Section 17070.52. This section requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to collect information from Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) on how the needs of Career Technical Education (CTE) are being met. For each new construction project, the LEA must report whether a CTE component is included as part of the project. If not, the LEA must explain how it intends on meeting the CTE needs of the students housed in the project. The applicant must also provide the date on which the CTE advisory committee was consulted.
Pursuant to this section, the CDE is required to produce a quarterly report (CDE Intranet) to the Office of Public School Construction
Advanced Certificate Program: Educational Facility Planning
San Diego State University's National Center for the 21st Century Schoolhouse and the Council of Educational Facility Planners International have partnered to develop a fully accredited Advanced Certificate Program in Educational Facility Planning. This advanced certificate program is one of the most comprehensive programs for understanding the key concepts of planning, designing, building, and maintaining schools. This high quality program positively impacts students, teachers, and communities world-wide as educators and educational facilities professionals prepare themselves to design and construct school facilities that are healthy, sustainable, and high-performing. For further information on this course go to the National Center for the Twenty-first Century Schoolhouse Web page (Outside Source).
