New Mexico Public Education Department: Quality School Expansion New Mexico Charter School Program Grant Subgrant Competition

In 2017, the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) was awarded $22,500,000 over five years from the U.S. Department of Education to:

• Support high-quality charter school development and growth through a competitive subgrant program for: a) new charter school start up, b) high quality charter school replication, and c) high quality charter school expansion; and
• Build high-quality authorizing practices among the state’s chartering agencies (PEC and school district school boards), which includes strengthening charter school accountability by supporting the closure of academically poor-performing charter schools.

In FY2018, which runs from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, the New Mexico Charter School Program (NMCSP) has sufficient funding to award subgrants to at least two eligible applicants seeking to expand/replicate high quality charter schools already operating in New Mexico.

Amount: The following goals have been established through this program:

• Year 1: Replication: One grant of $642,232.52 will be awarded; Expansion: One grant of $481,674.39 will be awarded.
• Year 2: Replication: One grant of $599,040.50 will be awarded; Expansion: Two grants of $898,560.75 will be awarded.
• Year 3: Replication: Two grants of $1,209,949.24 will be awarded; Expansion: Three grants of $1,361,192.90 will be awarded.
• Year 4: Replication: Two grants of $1,284,465.04 will be awarded; Expansion: Two grants of $963,348.78 will be awarded.
• Year 5: Replication: One grant of $705,593.58 will be awarded; Expansion: No grants will be awarded.

Award amounts are based on the school’s proposed grade levels and proposed enrollment increase over a five year period, but shall not exceed $900,000. Funding will be calculated using the following per pupil amounts:

• Elementary school (K-5): Replication subgrant: $1,760; Expansion subgrant: $1,320
• Middle school (6-8): Replication subgrant: $1,600; Expansion subgrant: $1,200
• High school: Replication subgrant: $1,840; Expansion subgrant: $1,380

Eligibility: Eligible entities are those who:

• Are operating a high quality charter school in New Mexico, which is defined as a school that has earned grades of B or better in each of the last 3 years, does not meet TSI/CSI criteria, and has had no significant adverse audit findings or organizational non-compliance
• Intend to substantially expand the number of students served by the school by increasing the enrollment cap, increase the grade levels served, or open a new school or new school site (i.e., replicating the current school)
• Have applied, through an amendment request or another process established by the authorized public chartering authority, to expand or replicate their charter school and provided adequate and timely notice to that authorized public chartering authority of the request
• Demonstrate the capacity to create a high-quality charter school as defined in ESEA section 4310(8)
• Are selected as the highest scoring applicants through a rigorous application and peer review process

Link: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/charter-schools/new-mexico-charter-school-program-grant/expansion-replication-nmcsp-subgrant-competition/

Note: There are two phases to the application process. In the first phase, applicants must submit a notice of intent to apply for funds by emailing this Replication and Expansion NMCSP Subgrant Competition Letter of Intent Form (Phase I Application).

• This form requires the school to confirm that they are eligible for the subgrant, including that they meet the definition of a high-quality school.
• Submission of this form must have been voted on and approved by the school’s governing body.

Upon receiving the Replication and Expansion NMCSP Subgrant Competition Letter of Intent (LOI), the NMCSP program manager will review the school’s academic performance, financial performance, and organizational performance both through the documentation from the authorized public chartering authority and through the appropriate bureaus of PED. Upon verification that the school meets the eligibility requirements, the school will be notified.

The July 15 deadline is for the LOI. Further timeline:

• RFA Responses due to PED: Phase I (LOI): July 15; Phase II: Aug 30
• RFA Responses evaluated: Phase I: July 15-Aug 15; Phase II: Aug 3-Sep 15
• Notification of eligibility to move to Phase II: August 30, or when school letter grade reports are released
• Behavioral Event Interviews: September 15 – 30
• Community Input Hearings: October 1 – 15
• Awards Announced: October 31

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