School Assessments Of Buildings And Emergency Repairs Grant Program - Property Maintenance And Control - CA Education

Section § 17592.70

The School Facilities Needs Assessment Grant Program is set up to evaluate the needs of school facilities. This one-time program gives grants to school districts that serve schools ranked in the bottom three levels on the 2003 Academic Performance Index, focusing on schools built before 2000. The aim is to assess various factors like building ages, pupil capacity, and infrastructure health. Districts must use these funds to conduct detailed assessments and report back to the Office of Public School Construction. If any money is left over, it must be used for necessary repairs. A deadline is set for assessments to be completed by January 1, 2006, with interim reports on progress also required.

(a) There is hereby established the School Facilities Needs Assessment Grant Program with the purpose to provide for a one-time comprehensive assessment of school facilities needs. The grant program shall be administered by the State Allocation Board.

(b)

(1) The grants shall be awarded to school districts on behalf of schoolsites ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, on the Academic Performance Index (API), pursuant to Section 52056, based on the 2003 base API score for each school newly constructed prior to January 1, 2000.

(2) For purposes of this section, schools ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, on the 2003 base API shall include any schools determined by the department to meet either of the following:

(A) The school meets all of the following criteria:

(i) Does not have a valid base API score for 2003.

(ii) Is operating in fiscal year 2004-05 and was operating in fiscal year 2003-04 during the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program testing period.

(iii) Has a valid base API score for 2002 that was ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, in that year.

(B) The school has an estimated base API score for 2003 that would be in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive.

(3) The department shall estimate an API score for any school meeting the criteria of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) and not meeting the criteria of clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2), using available testing scores and any weighting or corrective factors it deems appropriate. The department shall provide those API scores to the Office of Public School Construction and post them on its Web site within 30 days of the enactment of this section.

(4) For purposes of this section, schools ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, on the 2003 base API shall exclude any schools determined by the department to be operated by county offices of education pursuant to Section 56140.

(c) The board shall allocate funds pursuant to subdivision (b) to school districts with jurisdiction over eligible schoolsites, based on ten dollars ($10) per pupil enrolled in the eligible school as of October 2003, with a minimum allocation of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for each schoolsite.

(d) As a condition of receiving funds pursuant to this section, school districts shall do all of the following:

(1) Use the funds to develop a comprehensive needs assessment of all schoolsites eligible for grants pursuant to subdivision (b). The assessment shall contain, at a minimum, all of the following information for each schoolsite:

(A) The year each building that is currently used for instructional purposes was constructed.

(B) The year, if any, each building that is currently used for instructional purposes was last modernized.

(D) The number of pupils enrolled in the school.

(E) The density of the school campus measured in pupils per acre.

(F) The total number of classrooms at the school.

(G) The age and number of portable classrooms at the school.

(H) Whether the school is operating on a multitrack, year-round calendar, and, if so, what type.

(I) Whether the school has a cafeteria, or an auditorium or other space used for pupil eating and not for class instruction.

(J) The useful life remaining of all major building systems for each structure housing instructional space, including, but not limited to, sewer, water, gas, electrical, roofing, and fire and life safety protection.

(K) The estimated costs for five years necessary to maintain functionality of each instructional space to maintain health, safety, and suitable learning environment, as applicable, including classroom, counseling areas, administrative space, libraries, gymnasiums, multipurpose and dining space, and the accessibility to those spaces.

(L) A list of necessary repairs.

(2) Use the data currently filed with the state as part of the process of applying for and obtaining modernization or construction funds for school facilities, or information that is available in the California Basic Education Data System for the element required in subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1).

(3) Use the assessment as the baseline for the facilities inspection system required pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 17070.75.

(4) Provide the results of the assessment to the Office of Public School Construction, including a report on the expenditures made in performing the assessment. It is the intent of the Legislature that the assessments be completed as soon as possible, but not later than January 1, 2006.

(5) If a school district does not need the full amount of the allocation it receives pursuant to this section, the school district shall expend the remaining funds for making facilities repairs identified in its needs assessment. The school district shall report to the Office of Public School Construction on the repairs completed pursuant to this paragraph and the cost of the repairs.

(6) Submit to the Office of Public School Construction an interim report regarding the progress made by the school district in completing the assessments of all eligible schools.

School Facilities Needs Assessment Grant Program State Allocation Board academic performance index 2003 base API score eligible schoolsites comprehensive needs assessment pupil capacity school infrastructure facility inspections reporting requirements fund allocation modernization facility repairs Office of Public School Construction instructional space

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 677, Sec. 8.5. Effective October 7, 2005.)

Section § 17592.71

This law creates a special account called the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account, managed by the State Allocation Board, to fund urgent repairs in school facilities. Starting in the 2005–06 fiscal year, money is transferred annually from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the repair account. However, from 2008 to 2013, certain years had reduced or zero transfers. Other one-time funds and donations can also boost this account. Transfers will continue until the account has disbursed $800 million in total. Any leftover money will return to the Proposition 98 Reversion Account after July 1, 2018.

(a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account. The State Allocation Board shall administer the account.

(b)

(1) Commencing with the 2005–06 fiscal year, an amount of moneys shall be transferred in the annual Budget Act from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account, equaling 50 percent of the unappropriated balance of the Proposition 98 Reversion Account or one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000), whichever amount is greater. Moneys transferred pursuant to this subdivision shall be used for the purpose of addressing emergency facilities needs pursuant to Section 17592.72.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for the 2008–09 fiscal year, the amount of money to be transferred from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not exceed one hundred one million dollars ($101,000,000).

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for the 2009–10 fiscal year, the amount of money to be transferred from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be zero dollars ($0).

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for the 2010–11 fiscal year, the amount of money to be transferred from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be zero dollars ($0).

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for the 2011–12 fiscal year, the amount of money to be transferred from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be zero dollars ($0).

(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for the 2012–13 and 2013–14 fiscal years, the amount of money to be transferred from the Proposition 98 Reversion Account to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be zero dollars ($0).

(c) The Legislature may transfer to the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account other one-time Proposition 98 funds, except funds specified pursuant to Section 41207, as repealed and added by Section 6 of Chapter 216 of the Statutes of 2004. Donations by private entities shall be deposited in the account and, for tax purposes, be treated as otherwise provided by law.

(d) Funds shall be transferred pursuant to this section until a total of eight hundred million dollars ($800,000,000) has been disbursed from the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account.

(e) Any unencumbered balance available in the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account after July 1, 2018, shall revert to the Proposition 98 Reversion Account.

School Facilities Emergency Repair Account State Allocation Board Proposition 98 Reversion Account emergency facilities needs Proposition 98 funds donations fiscal year fund transfers eight hundred million dollars unencumbered balance school repairs budget allocation

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 15, Sec. 18. (AB 99) Effective June 27, 2017.)

Section § 17592.72

This law section provides funding for emergency repairs in schools ranked in the bottom three deciles of academic performance based on specific criteria. Initially, funds were for reimbursements, but they later transitioned to grants. The State Allocation Board manages this process, ensuring repairs address urgent facilities issues like gas leaks or nonfunctioning heating. Schools must responsibly maintain their buildings to avoid emergencies and cannot use grant money as a replacement for their maintenance budgets. If schools consistently neglect maintenance, they might lose eligibility for future funds. Only necessary repairs that ensure health and safety qualify for emergency funding.

(a)

(1) For the 2005–06 fiscal year, all moneys in the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account are available for reimbursement to schools ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, on the Academic Performance Index, pursuant to Section 52056, based on the 2003 base Academic Performance Index score for each school, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 17592.70, to meet the repair costs of the school district projects that meet the criteria specified in subdivisions (c) and (d) and as approved by the State Allocation Board.

(2) Commencing with the 2006–07 fiscal year, all moneys in the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account are available for the purpose of providing emergency repair grants to schools ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, on the Academic Performance Index, pursuant to Section 52056, based on the 2003 base Academic Performance Index score for each school, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 17592.70, to cover the costs of school district repair projects that meet the criteria specified in subdivisions (c) and (d). The State Allocation Board shall establish a grant application process, grant parameters, substantial progress requirements, and a process for providing certification of the completion of projects. The State Allocation Board shall post the grant application form on its Internet Web site.

(3) For subsequent fiscal years, schools shall be eligible for funding based on the Academic Performance Index scores as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1240.

(b)

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that each school district exercise due diligence in the administration of deferred maintenance and regular maintenance in order to avoid the occurrence of emergency repairs.

(2) Funds made available pursuant to this article shall supplement, not supplant, existing funds available for maintenance of school facilities.

(3) The board is authorized to deny future funding pursuant to this article to a school district if the board determines that there is a pattern of failure to exercise due diligence pursuant to paragraph (1) or supplantation. If the board finds a pattern of failure to exercise due diligence, the board shall notify the county superintendent of schools in which the school district is located.

(c)

(1) For purposes of this article, “emergency facilities needs” means structures or systems that are in a condition that poses a threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff while at school. These projects may include, but are not limited to, the following types of facility repairs or replacements:

(A) Gas leaks.

(B) Nonfunctioning heating, ventilation, fire sprinklers, or air-conditioning systems.

(D) Major sewer line stoppage.

(E) Major pest or vermin infestation.

(F) Broken windows or exterior doors or gates that will not lock and that pose a security risk.

(G) Abatement of hazardous materials previously undiscovered that pose an immediate threat to pupil or staff.

(H) Structural damage creating a hazardous or uninhabitable condition.

(2) For purposes of this section, “emergency facilities needs” does not include any cosmetic or nonessential repairs.

(d) For the purpose of this section, structures or components shall only be replaced if it is more cost-effective than repair.

School Facilities Emergency Repair Account Academic Performance Index emergency repair grants State Allocation Board grant application process emergency facilities needs health and safety threats deferred maintenance maintenance budgets nonfunctioning systems hazardous conditions substantial progress requirements certification of project completion school district eligibility cosmetic repairs exclusion

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 704, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 17592.73

The State Allocation Board has several duties to perform: it must create and update rules for running a certain educational program, with emergency regulations set by early 2005. It also needs to establish procedures, distribute funds to eligible school districts, provide help to these districts, and report on progress and spending to the Legislature and Governor by specific dates.

(a) Create and amend rules for the program, ensuring personnel evaluating needs are qualified and independent. Emergency regulations were to be in place by January 31, 2005.

(b) Set up necessary administrative procedures and policies.

(d) Help school districts implement the program.

(e) Submit a progress report to the Legislature and Governor by June 30, 2005, summarizing district reports.

(f) Provide a spending and future spending report to the Legislature and Governor by June 30, 2008.

The State Allocation Board shall do all of the following:

(a) Adopt regulations and review and amend its regulations, as necessary, pursuant to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), for the administration of this article, including those regulations necessary to specify the qualifications of the personnel performing the needs assessment and a method to ensure their independence. The initial regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall be adopted as emergency regulations, and the circumstances related to the initial adoption are hereby deemed to constitute an emergency for this purpose. The initial regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall be adopted by January 31, 2005.

(b) Establish and publish any procedures and policies in connection with the administration of this article as it deems necessary.

(d) Provide technical assistance to school districts to implement this article.

(e) Submit an interim status report to the Legislature and the Governor by June 30, 2005, by compiling the reports submitted pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (d) of Section 17592.70.

(f) By June 30, 2008, report to the Legislature and the Governor on expenditures pursuant to Section 17592.72 and projections of future expenditures pursuant to Section 17592.72.

State Allocation Board regulations emergency regulations school districts fund allocation technical assistance interim status report Legislature and Governor expenditures report future expenditures projections rulemaking Administrative Procedure Act needs assessment personnel qualifications independent assessment

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 22, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Section § 17592.74

This law states that money given to school districts from the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account for emergency repair grants cannot be put into the school's deferred maintenance fund, which is used for other specific long-term maintenance projects.

Notwithstanding any other law, the funds provided to school districts from the School Facilities Emergency Repair Account pursuant to this article for the purpose of emergency repair grants shall not be deposited into a school district deferred maintenance fund for purposes described in Section 17582.

emergency repair grants School Facilities Emergency Repair Account school district funds deferred maintenance fund fund allocation restriction emergency repairs school infrastructure funding restrictions maintenance projects repair fund usage California school funding

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 65. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)