Smart Schools Bond Act Implementation Guidance PDF Download

This 21 page document includes the following sections:

1. Overview of the State Review Process for Smart Schools Investment Plans
2. School District Application Process
3. Smart Schools Bond Act Allocation
4. Allowable Expenditures by Category
5. Requirements for Stakeholder Involvement
6. Inclusion of Nonpublic Schools
7. Treatment of Smart Schools Bond Act Plans and Funds
8. Contact Information

Important Note on Smart School Investment Plan Expenditures

Questions have arisen from the field regarding specific eligible expenditures relating to software, warranties and/or licenses.

As noted in the Program Guidance, the Smart Schools Bond Act program will require the State to sell tax-exempt capital bonds to fund all approved expenditures submitted for reimbursement.

Due to this reimbursement, SSBA funds cannot cover any form of software, warranties or licenses relating to any category of a plan. Districts should support these operating expenditures with other local funds.

Some devices that districts purchase come with a manufacturer’s warranty or include integral operating software. These expenses are included in the initial price of the device and therefore are eligible; however, additional warranties, licenses, or software “bundled” into the device price are not eligible.

SSIPs that are submitted including these expenditures will be returned to districts to adjust and therefore, could delay approval of the Plan. In order to ensure a smooth process, please check the narratives and budgets in your Plan carefully to confirm that these types of expenditures are not included.