New Challenges and Opportunities - 2009

1. New Challenges and Opportunities - 2009 Presentation to FASFEPA Martha K. Asbury September 16, 2009

2. ARRA – Reporting Process • Now–Sept 28: Update budgets • Oct 1–5: Report on-line • Oct 6: DOE uploads to “FlaReporting” • Oct 10: FL uploads to Federal Reporting • Oct 11-21: State reviews and corrections • Oct 22-31: Federal agency reviews and necessary revisions

3. ARRA: Selected Reporting Provisions Registrations • DUNS – Yes (all districts have) • CCR (Central Contract Registration) – Yes (some districts heave) • Florida Reporting System – No • Federal Reporting System - No

4. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created • Definitions: • Job Created: new position created and filled or an existing unfilled position that is filled as a result of ARRA funding • Job Saved/Retained: existing position that would not have continued to be filled were it not for ARRA funding

5. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created Direct vs. Indirect • Intent is to capture direct employment • Employees not charged to ARRA who may provide critical support should not be reported

6. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created Calculation • Expressed as FTEs • Calculated as total numbers of hours worked divided by number of hours in a full-time schedule

7. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created Split-Funded Positions • Only the portion of the position attributable to ARRA funding should be reported • May need to keep time and effort documentation

8. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created Watch out for: • Part-time employees • Add-on hours (e.g., tutors) • Hourly/daily employees (e.g., substitutes) • Teachers – 10 month schedules

9. ARRA Reporting: Jobs Saved and Created Audit Requirements • Maintain documentation of what you report • Be able to show how you calculated the FTE reported • Budget and planning documents will be helpful

10. ARRA Reporting: Vendors Sub-recipients must report on vendors • When there is an individual transaction of $25,000 + • Report must include: • DUNS or other identifying information

11. ARRA Reporting: Vendors Definition of Vendor: • Provides the goods and services within normal business operations; • Provides similar goods or services to many different purchasers; • Operates in a competitive environment; • Provides goods or services that are ancillary to the operation of the federal program; AND • Is not subject to compliance requirements of the federal program.

12. ARRA Reporting: Vendors Suggest keeping individual vendor transactions under $25,000

13. ARRA Reporting • Federal quarterly reports are not the only uses for ARRA data • DOE gets many requests to share data on what we are doing with ARRA dollars • Public transparency

14. ARRA: Title II-D, Technology • ARRA funds have been released • At least 50% if not more of the ARRA funds will be distributed competitively • RFA and RFP being prepared

15. School Improvement: Section 1003(g) • Proposed regulations posted for comment • Florida will have to submit an application for both ARRA and non-ARRA funds (probably in November) • Funds available at the earliest in January, 2010

16. School Improvement: Section 1003(g) • Proposed Eligibility • Bottom 5% of Title I schools in school improvement • Low performing secondary schools that are eligible for, but don’t receive Title I funding

17. School Improvement: Section 1003(g) Support for one or more of the following: • Turnarounds (replace principal and 50% of staff) • Re-starts (close and re-open under management of charter or other organization) • Closure • Transformation (replace leadership, reward teacher and leadership effectiveness, etc.)

18. School Improvement: Section 1003(g) USED is supporting a competitive distribution model for SEA awards to LEAs

19. Race to the Top Guiding Principles • Focus on raising achievement in core subjects and closing achievement gap • Prudent and decisive (pilot bold ideas first) • Participation in pilots by choice • Guided by evidence or research

20. Race to the Top Guiding Principles (continued) • Will address all required elements of USED guidelines • Focused on implementing sustainable policies

21. Race to the Top Logistics • Partnering with Parthenon Group through the Gates Foundation • Working closely with Governor’s Office • Seeking input from districts and public – have received formal input from 53 individuals in 23 districts • Working with districts, unions, and other stakeholders to gain support

22. Race to the Top • Basing plans on draft RFP • Prepared to make changes based on final RFP • At least 50% of the funds go to LEAs based on proportionate share of Title I funds • Remainder available to State – much will likely go to school districts

23. Race to the Top USED Website http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html#apps

24. ARRA Oversight Under the Microscope • Inspectors General (at all levels) • Auditor General • OMB • GAO • Program staff at USED

25. H1N1 Wonderful Team! • Local, state, and federal • Education • Health

26. H1N1 CDC Guidance: • If conditions stay like last spring • Keep school open unless most students at high risk • Stay home when sick • Separate ill students and staff • Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette • Routine cleaning • Early treatment of high-risk students and staff

27. H1N1 • CDC Guidance if increased severity • Active screening • High-risk students and staff stay home • Students will ill family members stay home • Increase distance between people at school • Extend the period for ill persons to stay home • Possible school dismissals/closures

28. H1N1: School Dismissals • CDC prefers term “dismissal” rather than “closure” • Decision is a local one to be made by school district and county health department • DOE will track all dismissals via web-site reporting

29. H1N1 • Negative consequences for school dismissals • How to provide for continued learning • How to for an emotionally and physically safe place for students • How to reduce demands on local health care

30. H1N1 – Minimum School Term - Emergencies • Florida Law requires a minimum of 180 days • Florida Law and State Board Rules also authorize the Commissioner to reduce the 180 days as follows: • When no teacher planning days or school holidays remain in the official calendar • Up to a maximum of three days

31. H1N1: Vaccinations • Vaccine is currently in clinical trials • Expected to be available in late October/early November (possibly earlier) • Not to be confused with vaccinations for seasonal flu currently taking place • Priority will be given to persons at high risk including school-age students

32. H1N1: Masks • Surgical masks being made available for students and staff who become ill at school or have responsibility for caring for ill students • Masks not recommended as a prevention measure for the general population

33. H1N1 Q & A Q Is there H1N1 in Florida? A Yes. Q What are the symptoms? A Fever, sore throat or cough. Some reports of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

34. H1N1 Q & A Q What should the school do with student with symptoms? A Separate student from general population and contact parents Q How long is it contagious? A As long as symptoms last and up to 7 days after onset (can be longer for younger children)

35. H1N1 Q & A Q If I’m sick, what should I do? A Contact health care provider. Stay home and avoid contact with other people Q How does it spread? A Like seasonal flu – from person to person through coughing or sneezing

36. H1N1: Waivers • USED has issued guidance on flexibility and waivers (other forms of relief from federal education requirements) for SEAs, LEAs, and Others • Elementary and Secondary • Adult and Career and Technical • Federal Student Aid • Grant Administration • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act • Distribution of Vaccines at School Sites

37. H1N1: Waivers • Elementary and Secondary examples: • Assessments • Accountability • Reporting Requirements • If warranted by an H1N1 outbreak that impedes functioning of delivery of educational services in a state, LEA, or school, USED may grant waivers of certain statutory and regulatory requirements

38. H1N1: Waivers Go to http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/flexibility-and-waivers.doc for more information on waivers

39. H1N1: Resources • http://www.doh.state.fl.us/demo/php/FluInfo.htm • http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

40. H1N1: Resources • Guidance on cleaning of school buses • Guidance on School Lunch Program waivers to serve meals when schools dismissed (forthcoming)

41. Thank You! Martha K. Asbury Director, Administrative Services 850/245-0420 martha.asbury@fldoe.org