FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

JIM HORNE

Commissioner of Education

 

  

 

 

 

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

  

 

F. PHILIP HANDY,

Chairman

 

T. WILLARD FAIR,

Vice Chairman

 

 

Members

 

SALLY BRADSHAW

 

LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.

 

CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA

 

JULIA L. JOHNSON

 

WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

CONTACT PERSON

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

N

ame:

Charlene Waltz

Phone:

(850)

245-9244

Suncom:

205-9244

CEFO:

#04-22

November 5, 2003

 

M E M O R A N D U M

 

TO:

 

  

School District Superintendents

 

FROM:

  

Raymond Monteleone

 

SUBJECT:

 

Participation in the 2003-2004 Classrooms for Kids Program

 

Each district has been previously notified of the allocations for the 2003-2004 Classrooms for Kids Program, as

funded through the General Appropriations Act, Chapter 2003-397, Laws of Florida. The funds were allocated

pursuant to Section 1013.735 (1), Florida Statutes, and will be provided through the issuance of Lottery

Revenue Bonds. It is anticipated that $200 million in bond proceeds from the first bond sale will be available

during November. Additional bonds will be sold when needed to fund the districts' projects.

 

The funds allocated for the Classrooms for Kids Program are to be expended for the construction, renovation,

remodeling or repair of educational facilities that are in excess of projects identified in the district’s 5-year work

program adopted prior to March 15, 2003. Funds may also be used for the purchase of relocatable facilities that

are in excess of the referenced 5-year work program. The lease-purchase of relocatable facilities will not be

allowed since a long term revenue source should be identified for such an obligation. Furthermore, the

expenditure of bond proceeds is subject to federal arbitrage spend down requirements, making it more

appropriate for districts to select an alternative recurring revenue source for this purpose.

 

To participate in the Classrooms for Kids Program, the attached District School Board certification must be

completed. By completing this certification, the district acknowledges that the interlocal agreement required by

Section 1013.33, Florida Statutes, has been entered into; the facilities records within the Florida Inventory of

School Houses are accurate and up-to-date pursuant to Section 1013.31, Florida Statutes; if a project is

selected for funding from the five-year work program, the district commits to funding another project(s) with

RAYMOND MONTELEONE

Deputy Commissioner / Chief Education Financial Officer

 

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1214 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0456 • www.fldoe.org

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School District Superintendents

November 5, 2003

Page 2

equivalent student capacity from fund source listed in the five-year work program adopted prior to March 15,

2003; and, that sufficient student capacity does/does not exist within facilities to meet the constitutional class

size requirements.

 

Additionally, to participate in the program, a project list approved by the superintendent and the District School

Board must be provided. The attached project list must be completed to include the school name, project name

with description, the type of project, the additional capacity provided, and whether the project was included in

the 2002-2003 five-year work program. Instructions for this form are also included.

 

Authorization to encumber the funds will be obtained by the completion of OEF Form 352. A contract should not

be signed or a purchase order issued until an Encumbrance Authorization, OEF Form 1, is received from the

Office of Educational Facilities Budgeting. As required by Section 216.301 (3), Florida Statutes, 2003-2004

fiscal year appropriations must be encumbered and under contract by February 1, 2006, at which time the

appropriation balances are subject to reversion. Cash may be requested, on a 30-day basis, through the

completion of the OEF Form 442.

 

In order to anticipate the funding needs of the districts, please complete the cash draw projection worksheet that

is being provided as an attachment. This will assist the Office of Educational Facilities Budgeting in determining

when it will be necessary to sell additional bonds to fund the projects.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Charlene Waltz at (850) 245-9244 or SUNCOM 205-9244.

 

RM:cwh

 

Attachments

 

cc: District

Finance

Officers

 

District Facility Planners

Jeanine

Blomberg

Scott

Kittel

Jerry

Martin

Charlene

Waltz

Charles

Wooten