Charter Schools

FY22-23 Reporting due October 31st for all eligible charter schools! Access the CSCC-01 Combined Expenditure and Eligibility Online Report below under Forms

FY2021-22 Changes to Charter School Capital Construction Program

In an effort to streamline the Charter School Capital Construction program, we have reviewed the current implementation process and statute with a goal to create efficiencies in the administration of the program, eliminate duplication of effort for schools, and provide clear communications. As a result, a few changes have been made this fiscal year. We wanted to keep you informed of these changes and provide you with a summary of those proposed changes.

Pupil Counts: Use October Counts from prior fiscal year as our projected pupil enrollment for the full fiscal year.
New Schools: Establish a deadline consistent with the Student October Count submission for new schools to submit necessary information. New schools will start receiving funding in January. Total amount eligible will be distributed evenly over the remaining months.
Reporting- Create simplified, electronic report due October 31st to gather any information we haven’t already received (i.e., ownership of the facility). Utilize financial statements already provided to CDE.

For additional information regarding the changes, please review the memo HERE.

Charter School Capital Construction Program

Pursuant to C.R.S. 22-54-124, each year the State Education Fund and a percentage of the marijuana excise tax provides an appropriation for Charter School and Institute Charter School Capital Construction. The funding purpose is to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for all Colorado students. Charter Schools or Institute Charter Schools can use the funding for school construction, renovation, or facility purchase or leasing.

Eligible Expenses

Under C.R.S. 22-54-124 (1)(a) "Capital Construction" means construction, demolition, remodeling, maintaining, financing, purchasing, or leasing of land, buildings, or facilities used to educate pupils enrolled in or to be enrolled in a charter school. For more guidance regarding eligible expenses within Maintaining, please see the CSCC Maintaining Facilities Guidance below under Resources.

Ineligible Expenses

On-going operational expenses including, but not limited to, custodial services and supplies, pest control services, tree trimming, mowing, and care of trees, shrubbery, lawns, sidewalks and snow removal are not eligible uses of CSCC funding. Additionally, the purchase of furnishings or equipment is not allowed, unless the items are for new space constructed in whole or in part with the capital construction funds.

Distribution

CSCC Distribution FY22-23 (Excel) (Updated 5/23/2023)
- Funding increased this year to a total of $38,609,674, which brings the per pupil dollar amount to roughly $366
- Please note: If you are a new school, you will begin receiving funding in January
Historic Distribution Schedule

Forms

NEW! CSCC-01 Combined Expenditure and Eligibility Online Report
- Please read each question carefully. Accurately complete and submit the required annual form no later than October 31^st. These responses will be used to determine your funding levels for FY23-24.
- Changes to Note: Signatures from the charter and authorizer are no longer required and the form can be completed by an authorized representative of either the school or the authorizer. Once you submit your form, you will receive a copy of your responses for your records. Prior to the submission deadline, you will have the option to log back in to your report after starting it to make changes if necessary.
- Online schools are not eligible to receive funding through this program, therefore completion of this form is not required for online schools.

Resources

Funds are distributed on a per FTE basis, and the final FTE count is taken directly from the October pupil count data submitted by a district to the Division. The funds are distributed on a monthly basis; the first six months' calculation determines the distribution amount per charter school based on FTE projections that the charter school provides. Adjustments are made to the distribution schedule annually in February to reflect actual FTE provided in the October pupil count data.

BEST Grant Program

Established in 2008 with the signing of C.R.S.22-43.7, BEST provides an annual amount of funding in the form of competitive grants to school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative educational services, and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. BEST funds can be used for the construction of new schools as well as general construction and renovation of existing school facility systems and structures.

Charter School Eligibility

Qualified Charter Schools, as defined in § 22-54-124 (1)(f.6)(I)(A) or (1)(f.6)(I)(B), C.R.S., that meet the following requirements are eligible for the BEST grant.

Must have been in existence for at least 3 years prior to the date of submission of the BEST grant application.
Must notify its authorizer and acquire authorizer signature on the grant application. The authorizer has the option to submit a letter to the Board stating its position on the application, but a letter is not required.
The applicant must qualify under § 22-43.7-109(1)(a), C.R.S., requiring the applicant to own the public school facility, have the right to own through a lease-purchase agreement with the owner, or have a qualifying sub-lease purchase agreement with the State.
- To determine that your school meets these requirements, applicants must either provide proof of ownership or Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for both the charter school and building corporation as well as any lease-purchase agreement. These documents will be reviewed by the Attorney General’s office. Additional guidance provided HERE.