Announcement
New Superintendents/BOCES Directors Workshop
Attn: New Superintendents and New BOCES Directors
New Superintendents and BOCES Directors,
Please save the date for our New Superintendents and BOCES Directors Workshop Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Colorado Department of Education in Denver.
More information will follow.
Please contact Jhon Penn with questions and to RSVP.
For More Information, Contact:
Jhon Penn
Phone: 303-866-6632
Email: penn_j@cde.state.co.us
Request for Proposals / Qualified Zone Academy Bond Program (QZAB)
Attn: Superintendents, Finance Directors, Facility Managers, Grant Writers
CDE is currently accepting applications for QZAB allocations. Please submit complete applications to CDE Capital Construction Division. Applications are located at the Web link below.
The QZAB program is a way for school districts to obtain interest free financing for renovation, repair projects and other needs. Currently Colorado has $1,843,659 in available allocations for 2007, $5,694,000 for 2008, and $19,930,000 for 2009. CDE does not provide funding, but provides authorization to a school district to obtain the interest free financing if the school district qualifies. Some of the requirements are as follows:
• 35 percent or more of the school's students must qualify for free and reduced lunch;
• Programs established with QZAB must have the goal of enhancing the academic curriculum, increasing graduation and employment rates or better preparing students for college and the workforce;
• Each school must enter into a partnership with a private entity or entities. The partner must contribute at least 10 percent of the net present value of the amount of money borrowed;
Additional new requirements:
• At least 10 percent of the financing must be contracted within 6 months after issuance. 100 percent of the QZAB must be spent within 3 years of date of issuance.
• Compliance with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage provisions is required as part of the QZAB Application.
• Arbitrage restrictions have been modified in 2008 so that reserve accounts may be created provided they meet the criteria requirements per H.R. 1424.
For more information about the QZAB program, visit the CDE website link.
There are Colorado firms that have experience with QZAB transactions. These include George K. Baum, Public Finance Associates LLC, and RBC Capital. Two other firms with extensive QZAB experience are McLiney and Company and National Education Foundation CyberLearning. Contact information for all firms noted is provided on the QZAB frequently asked questions attachment located on the Web site link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Kristin Lortie
Public School Finance Unit
Phone: 303-866-6184
Email: lortie_k@cde.state.co.us
United State Senate Youth Scholarship
Attn: Superintendents, Principals and Counselors
Scholarship Opportunity
The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by a U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.
The 48th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 6 - 13, 2010. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
The selection process begins in early fall when public and private high school students submit their applications. To qualify, students must hold student body office or another elected or appointed position in their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government, history and politics. Selection processes vary by state. The chief state school officer in each state makes the final selection of two delegates and two alternates by December 1.
Colorado’s established nominating process involves a nominating committee’s review, using rubric-based scoring formula, of all qualified applicants to select the state’s two delegates and two alternates. Alternate(s) will be selected as replacement(s) in the event a primary delegate is for any reason unable to participate in the program’s Washington Week.
A brochure and Colorado’s application were mailed to the state’s public and private high schools during the week of August 3rd. We welcome your assistance in the promotion of this program. For more in-depth information and additional applications, please visit the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Nelma Hundley
Adult Education and Family Literacy\GED
Phone: 303.866.6865
Email: hundley_n@cde.state.co.us
Event
Annual Charter School Finance Seminar
Attn: Charter School Business Managers, Administrators, Board Members
CDE’s Annual Charter School Finance Seminar is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a continental breakfast and registration starting at 8:30 am.
Who should attend?
Charter school board members, finance subcommittee members, administrators, business managers, and other charter school employees who have finance questions and or who need up-to-date information.
Location Details:
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Adams 12 Conference Center – 720-972-4337
1500 E. 128th Avenue, Thornton CO 80241
Registration Fee:
$20 per person
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at this seminar. Please RSVP by Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 with the number in your party. If you RSVP and you do not attend, your school will be charged $20 per the number of people who RSVP'd.
RSVP:
Please RSVP directly to Amanda Karlin (karlin_a@cde.state.co.us).
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Amanda Karlin
Schools of Choice
Phone: 303-866-6971
Email: karlin_a@cde.state.co.us
Federal Programs
Registration for new online C-FIRS Tracker system training
Attn: Federal Program Staff, Business Managers
The Office of Federal Program Administration will be using a new online monitoring system for the 2009-2010 school year. The C-FIRS Tracker will allow districts to upload evidence and reduce the amount of time needed for onsite reviews. The trainings in August and September will provide district staff with the information needed to use this system, and each training will provide time for participants to get into the system for trial use. This training should be attended by district staff responsible for both program and fiscal aspects of NCLB grants. Participants must preregister for these trainings at the Web link below.
C-FIRS Tracker Trainings:
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – Wheat Ridge Rec Center, Dahlia Room, 4005 Kipling Street, 80033
Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Delta, Tech College, Enterprise Room, 1765 Hwy 50, 81416
Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Sterling, NE Jr. College, Hays Student Center, Room 230 (2nd floor), 100 College Ave., 80751
Thursday, Aug. 27 – Glenwood Springs, School District, Boardroom, 1405 Grand Ave, 81601
Thursday, Aug. 27 – La Junta, Otero Jr. College, Banquet Room #120, 1802 Colorado Ave., 81050
Friday, Aug. 28 – Steamboat Springs, School District, Downstairs Boardroom, 325 7th Street, 80477
Friday, Aug. 28 – Pueblo Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave, 81004
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – Greeley, Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave, 80634
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Limon, EC BOCES, Training Room, 820 2nd Street, 80828
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak BOCES, Large Conference Room, 4825 Lorna Place, 80915
Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Alamosa, SLV BOCES, Boardroom, 2261 Enterprise Drive, 81101
Thursday, Sept. 10 – Durango, Fort Lewis College, Student Campus106 College Union Bldg, 1000 Rim Drive, 81301
All trainings are scheduled from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. with a 1-hour lunch.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Trish Boland or Clara Algine
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303-866-6998 or 303-866-6777
Email: boland_t@cde.state.co.us; algiene_c@cde.state.co.us
Important Due Date
Capital Construction FY08-09 Project Status Report (CC-05) - Past Due Notice
Attn: Superintendents, Charter School Directors, Business Managers
The Capital Construction Project Status Report (Form CC-05) was due on Friday, July 31, 2009. The form outlines the status of any and all open capital construction grants at the end of FY2008-09. The form is available at the Web link listed below.
If a school district is awarded a grant, a CC-05 Project Status Report, which is a financial and status report, is due each July 31 after the award, until the project is completed. If the project is completed before July 31, then the form is due when the project is completed along with the last payment request.
Please remember that an authorized representative needs to sign the form.
If your district has not sent in a CC-05 form for all open capital construction grants please do so at your earliest convenience. You can mail, fax or e-mail the completed form.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Scott Newell
Division of Public School Capital Construction Assistance
Phone: 303-866-6717
Email: newell_s@cde.state.co.us
Charter School FY08-09 Capital Construction Expenditures and Project Description Report (CSCC-01) - Past Due Notice
Attn: Superintendents, Charter School Directors, Business Managers
The Charter School Capital Construction Expenditures and Project Description Report (Form CSCC-01) was due on Friday, July 31, 2009. The form outlines the use of your FY2008-09 Charter School Capital Construction Funds. The form is available at the Web link listed below. Please remember that an authorized representative from both the charter school and the district need to sign the form.
Please note the following statute which requires us to gather this information:
2-3-115. Use of state education fund moneys for school capital construction - audits - reports.
(1) For the 2001-02 school district budget year and each school district budget year thereafter, for the purpose of determining the amount of state education fund moneys expended by each school district in the state for capital construction and identifying the schools and projects on which school districts expended such moneys, the state auditor shall annually examine the records of each school district in the state that received state education fund moneys for the budget year:
(a) Directly from the department of education for capital construction aid to qualified charter schools, as defined in section 22-54-124 (1) (f), (1) (f.5), or (1) (f.6), C.R.S., whichever is applicable, in accordance with section 22-54-124 (4) or (4.5), C.R.S., whichever is applicable;
If your school has not sent in the CSCC-01 form please do so at your earliest convenience. You can mail, fax or e-mail the completed form.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Scott Newell
Division of Public School Capital Construction Assistance.
Phone: 303-866-6717
Email: newell_s@cde.state.co.us
Update
Title I, Part A Waivers
Attn: Superintendents, Federal Program Contacts, Title I Directors
CDE has submitted an application to the USDE requesting waivers for several statutory set-aside requirements in regard to the Title I, A ARRA funds. We anticipate notification from the USDE shortly. LEAs will need to submit a request to CDE to implement the waiver(s). Application forms will be forthcoming.
For More Information, Contact:
Cheryl Miller
Office of Federal Program Adminstration
Phone: 303-866-6214
Email: miller_c@cde.state.co.us
CDC Guidance for Schools on H1N1
Attn: Superintendents, Principals and School Nurses
The national Center for Disease Control recently issued updated H1N1 guidance for schools. It is important to update your pandemic plan for this upcoming school year with this new guidance.
Please contact your local health agency as they will be an important partner during this time.
Note that the CDC has advised that the decision to dismiss students should be made locally after discussion with your local health officials. Current information on H1N1 will continue to be on the School Health Services website.
Active links from the CDC:
Guidance: http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolguidance.html
Technical Report: http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/k12techreport.html
Communication Toolkit: http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/toolkit.html
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Kathleen Patrick RN
Prevention Initiatives
Phone: 303-866-6779
Email: patrick_k@cde.state.co.us
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado
80203-1799
Phone: 303-866-6822 or 303-866-2334
Do you know somebody in your school district who needs to read The Scoop each week? Send an e-mail to: CDE_Communications_Office@cde.state.co.us with "Sign Me Up For The Scoop" in the subject line. If you are having trouble signing up, please call the communications office at the telephone numbers above.
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