Article 11.7 - State Augmentation of Federal Supporting America’s School Infrastructure Grant Program for Priority School Districts

California Education Code — §§ 17078.45-17078.48

Sections (4)

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 81, Sec. 24. (AB 247) Effective July 3, 2024. Operative November 6, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 30 of Ch. 81.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a)“Centralized online resources” means an online portal or webpage dedicated to facilities maintenance and capital outlay in support of priority school districts.

(b)“Direct technical assistance” means professional support on facilities maintenance and capital outlay provided in person to a priority school district at the site.

(c)“Priority school district” means a school district that the State Department of Education determines is in need of capital outlay assistance. The State Department of Education’s determination is based on the school district meeting one or

more of the following criteria:

(1)An enrollment of fewer than 2,501 pupils.

(2)Low gross bonding capacity per enrollment.

(3)A high percentage of unduplicated pupils.

(4)Has not previously submitted an application for funding pursuant to the School Facility Program.

(d)“SASI Grant” means the federal Supporting America’s School Infrastructure Grant Program.

(e)“State and county collaboration” means the joint efforts of the State Department of Education, county offices of education, and other state agencies, such as the Division of the State Architect and the Office of Public School Construction, to provide regional

resource centers throughout the state to ensure priority school districts have access to local support.

§ 17078.46

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 81, Sec. 24. (AB 247) Effective July 3, 2024. Operative November 6, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 30 of Ch. 81.

(a)The board shall provide a grant of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the State Department of Education to expand the objectives of the SASI Grant and support priority school districts as described in this article. The grant funds shall be made available from the amounts allocated pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 101412 at the board’s discretion.

(b)Any portion of the amount described in subdivision (a) that is not allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) by January 1, 2030, shall be available for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 101412, as determined by the board.

§ 17078.47

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 81, Sec. 24. (AB 247) Effective July 3, 2024. Operative November 6, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 30 of Ch. 81.

The bond funds allocated to the State Department of Education pursuant to Section 17070.46 shall be used for all of the following purposes:

(a)Direct technical assistance to priority school districts, including training in at least all of the following:

(1)Tools used to determine if a school facility is in “good repair” as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17002 and rating a facility pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 17002.

(2)Developing a schoolsite inventory.

(3)Assessing facility needs, estimating costs, and

prioritizing projects.

(4)Identifying funding options, including eligibility to participate in the school facilities program.

(5)Developing facility contracts, including testing, architectural services, inspections, and construction.

(b)State and county collaboration efforts, including at least all of the following:

(1)Developing a regional network of facilities and maintenance staff at county offices of education throughout the state to sustain ongoing support for priority school districts.

(2)Conducting quarterly meetings throughout the state, in partnership with the Division of the State Architect and the Office of Public School Construction, designed to address the facilities

challenges faced by priority school districts.

(3)Partnering with other state agencies and organizations representing priority school districts with limited expertise and capacity.

(c)Development and maintenance of centralized online resources, including at least all of the following:

(1)Dedicating a portal or webpage to school facilities maintenance to support maintenance assessment, state and national funding programs, and contract development and management.

(2)Providing standardized forms and tools for use by priority school districts.

(3)Developing an on-demand library of resources, including webinars, videos, and additional learning tools.

(d)State level expertise on facility maintenance, which may include both of the following:

(1)Building the capacity of the State Department of Education and county offices of education in supporting priority school districts.

(2)Establishing, in partnership with the Division of the State Architect and the Office of Public School Construction, a certification process for private construction consultants and maintaining an up-to-date list of certified consultants for use by priority school districts.

§ 17078.48

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 81, Sec. 24. (AB 247) Effective July 3, 2024. Operative November 6, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 30 of Ch. 81.

The State Department of Education shall adopt regulations setting forth the requirements and procedures for the allocation and use of bond funds pursuant to this article, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a)The process for determining recipients of direct technical assistance.

(b)The framework for state and county collaboration efforts.

(c)The development, maintenance, and accessibility of centralized online resources.

(d)Reporting and accountability measures to ensure the effective use of the allocated funds and the achievement of its intended

outcomes.