HCPS FL Logo Student Services
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, May 10, 2016
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Continuation Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), and if Approved, Accept Funds for the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) for 2016/2017 (Student Services Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We request approval to submit the continuation grant application to FLDOE for FIMC-VI. As defined by Florida Statute, 1003.55, FIMC-VI will produce, distribute, re-circulate, and house accessible instructional materials for students that are blind and visually impaired enrolled in Florida’s schools. Hillsborough County Public Schools has served as FIMC-VI’s headquarters for the past 43 years. A summary of this grant proposal is attached.

Approval of the grant application will allow for the continuation of activities to provide Braille, large print and audio/digital textbooks, and specialized equipment statewide. Having FIMC-VI located in Hillsborough County provides our students that are blind and visually impaired immediate access to instructional materials produced in needed formats. FLDOE has consistently praised our district for the service provided to the state.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
All Strategic Objectives
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
If approved, grant funds will be available in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. FLDOE/Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services will provide the district Federal IDEA funds of $1,983,516, State General Revenue funds of $108,119, and Federal IDEA trust funds of $270,987 to distribute instructional materials in specialized formats statewide. If approved, the total grant funds that will be available in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget is $2,362,622. For tracking purposes the project numbers specific to this agenda item are 3116, 3117, 3203.
EVALUATION
Performance evaluation measures are determined by FLDOE. The completed annual state performance report will be completed in September 2017. The results of the evaluation will be shared with all stakeholders.
SUBMITTED BY:  Maryann Parks, General Director, Department of Exceptional Student Education
Suzanne A. Dalton, Supervisor, FIMC-VI
Wynne A. Tye, Assistant Superintendent   Gretchen Saunders
Student Services Division
(813) 273-7033
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    C 6.09
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20160510_760 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.09