Student Services and Federal Programs Workshop Item

DATE:	Thursday, August 9, 2012
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
To Provide the School Board with Information Regarding the School District’s Grants and Research Operations Office (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The role of the district’s Grants and Research Operations (GRO) team is to collaborate with individuals within and outside the district, as appropriate, in order to craft highly competitive state, federal and private grant applications.  The GRO team works closely with district content area staff, as well as with the Office of Special Revenue and the Office of Assessment and Accountability during the development and submission of grants to ensure programmatic, fiscal, and evaluative compliance for any grant funds received.  In addition, the GRO team offers technical assistance to key personnel after the award of grants funds. This assistance includes, for example, review of grant objectives and budget setup upon receipt of grant awards, creation and submission of grant amendments, and assistance with communications to the funding agency.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum • Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce • Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
Via the efforts of the district’s GRO team, it is estimated that state, federal, and private funds in the amount of $30,000,000 have been received by the district during the school year; these funds are included in the district’s divisional special revenue/federal programs budget.
EVALUATION
Each grant submitted by the GRO team contains an appropriate evaluation design based upon requirements specific to each grant.  The district’s Office of Assessment and Accountability assists with the development of the evaluation design, and solicits/contracts with external evaluators to fulfill evaluation requirements.
SUBMITTED BY:  Lisa Cobb, Assistant Director, Grant and Research Operations

		Gwendolyn L. Luney
		Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Federal Programs (813) 272-4879
		W 1
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120809_529 (Board Workshop) * Section W Item# 1