Critically Overcrowded School Facilities - Leroy F.greene School Facilities Act Of 1998 - CA Education

Section § 17078.10

This law sets up the Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Program, which is managed by a board. It involves preliminary applications, which are requests for funding before meeting all normal requirements. Preliminary apportionment is a kind of advance funding for schools that are too crowded. The law also defines final apportionment and establishes special accounts within the State School Facilities Fund to finance these projects in 2002 and 2004. The money in these accounts is reserved for projects under this program until they can be used for other purposes.

(a) There is hereby established the Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Program to be administered by the board.

(b) For the purposes of this article, “preliminary application” means an application for a preliminary apportionment pursuant to this article.

(c) For the purposes of this article, “preliminary apportionment” means an apportionment made for eligible applicants with critically overcrowded schools in advance of full compliance with all of the application requirements otherwise required for an apportionment pursuant to this chapter.

(d) For the purposes of this article, “final apportionment” has the same meaning as “apportionment” as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 17070.15.

(e) There is hereby established the 2002 Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Account within the 2002 State School Facilities Fund, and the 2004 Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Account within the 2004 State School Facilities Fund, for the purposes of this article. Funds reserved for the purposes of this article shall be placed in those accounts, as appropriate, and shall be available exclusively for projects eligible under this article until the funds are made available for other purposes of this chapter pursuant to Section 17078.30.

Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Program preliminary application preliminary apportionment final apportionment 2002 Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Account 2004 Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Account State School Facilities Fund overcrowded schools advance funding eligible projects fund allocation school funding school construction educational facilities

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.15

This section outlines rules for funding school construction projects with state bonds approved in certain past elections. These rules only apply to eligible projects meeting specific Section 17078.18 criteria and funded by bonds specified in the bond act. The project's funding amount and state share are aligned with existing state provisions, including any adjustments. School districts must choose one project to apply their eligibility numbers to; they can't use them for multiple applications at the same time.

(b) This article shall apply only to a project that is otherwise eligible under this chapter and that meets both of the following criteria:

(1) The project meets the criteria set forth in Section 17078.18.

(2) The project is to be funded from the proceeds of state bonds approved by the voters at the November 5, 2002, statewide general election, or the 2004 direct primary election or the 2004 statewide general election, as the case may be, that were expressly reserved in the bond act or acts for the purposes set forth in this article.

(c) The state share of project costs and the state per-unhoused-pupil new construction apportionments for programs eligible under this article shall be equal to the share and amounts otherwise provided by the board pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, any applicable adjustments or supplements otherwise authorized pursuant to this chapter.

(d) A school district that elects to utilize per-unhoused-pupil eligibility pursuant to this chapter to support a project pursuant to this article, shall not simultaneously utilize that same eligibility to support any other application pursuant to this chapter.

school construction funding state bonds per-unhoused-pupil eligibility Section 17078.18 state share of costs bond act election-approved bonds project eligibility statewide general election 2002 direct primary election 2004 school district eligibility construction project criteria board apportionments funding adjustments single project application

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.18

This law outlines the criteria for school construction projects aimed at relieving classroom overcrowding. First, the project must involve building new facilities to accommodate more students. Next, the new school must be located in the specified area that qualifies based on overcrowding conditions. Lastly, at least 75% of the project’s expected student occupancy must come from schools with high numbers of students per acre, using specific calculations based on grade levels and data from a previous school year.

Projects funded under this article shall meet all of the following criteria:

(a) The project is a new construction project to build new pupil capacity to relieve overcrowding.

(b) The proposed school facility shall be located in the proposed general location, as set forth in Section 17078.22, of the school or schools that have the conditions and pupils that establish the eligibility pursuant to this article as set forth in subdivision (c).

(c) At least 75 percent of the projected pupil occupancy of the project facilities shall come from a source school or source schools that have a site pupil population density greater than 115 pupils per acre in grades kindergarten to six, inclusive, or a site pupil population density greater than 90 pupils per acre in grades seven to 12, inclusive, as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction using enrollment data from the California Basic Educational Data System for the 2001–02 school year. For source schools with grades that include a combination of kindergarten to six, inclusive, and seven to 12, inclusive, the controlling source schoolsite pupil population density shall be the one applicable to the grade levels in which the majority of the pupils are enrolled at the source school.

new construction project pupil capacity overcrowding school facility location projected pupil occupancy source schools site pupil population density kindergarten to six grades seven to 12 California Basic Educational Data System Superintendent of Public Instruction pupil enrollment data 2001-02 school year

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.20

This law requires a board to inform school districts about funding for school projects and the deadlines to apply. Schools must submit early applications by specific deadlines to receive money from bonds approved by voters in certain elections. If there's not enough money for everyone who applies, priority goes to projects that would help the most crowded schools based on state standards.

(a) The board shall disseminate information to school districts regarding the availability of funding pursuant to this article and the appropriate deadlines for applications.

(b) Applicants for funding pursuant to this article shall submit preliminary applications to the board.

(c) The preliminary applications shall be submitted by May 1, 2003, for projects to be funded with the proceeds of bonds approved by the voters at the November 5, 2002, statewide general election.

(d) Preliminary applications shall be accepted by the board during the period between 60 days before and 120 days after, the 2004 direct primary election, or the 2004 statewide general election, as appropriate for projects to be funded with the proceeds of bonds approved by the voters at the 2004 direct primary election, or the 2004 statewide general election, as appropriate.

(e) If funds are insufficient to fully fund all of the preliminary applicants, the board shall apportion first to those projects that would house pupils from source schools with the highest pupil density levels relative to the State Department of Education standards.

school district funding application deadlines bond proceeds preliminary applications voter-approved bonds pupil density levels State Department of Education standards project funding election dates school construction funding 2002 bond election 2004 bond election funding prioritization applications for funding school overcrowding solutions

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 935, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Section § 17078.22

This law outlines what preliminary applications must include when planning new school facilities in California. First, they need to show eligibility based on the number of students without a current school, referred to as unhoused pupils. They then have to detail which students will benefit from the new project, including where they'll likely come from in terms of existing schools. The project must also suggest a possible location for the new facilities, considering either proximity to elementary or secondary schools, within specific distance limits (one mile for elementary; three miles for secondary schools). Additionally, they must estimate both the cost per student and the total costs for acquiring and developing the site. The State Department of Education can allow exceptions to the location limits if justified by the school district.

(a) The preliminary applications shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish per-unhoused-pupil eligibility as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 17071.75).

(2) Identify the unhoused pupil population that the proposed project will serve by determining the number of pupils to be served and the likely source school or schools from which the pupils population will be drawn.

(3) Identify the proposed general location of the needed new facilities pursuant to any of the following:

(A) Within that portion of the attendance area from which one or more elementary schools that would be a source of the per-pupil eligibility for the proposed facility draws its enrollment, or within a one-mile radius of a source school, or within a one-mile radius of any one of the source schools if there are more than one, whichever is greater.

(B) Within the attendance area of a high school, middle school, or junior high school that would be a source of the per-pupil eligibility for the proposed facility or within a three-mile radius of a source school, or within a three-mile radius of any one of the source schools if there are more than one, whichever is greater.

(4) Estimate the total facility cost on a per-pupil basis and estimate the total site acquisition and development costs pursuant to the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 17078.24.

(b) The State Department of Education may grant a variance from the distance maximums set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) if the school district demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the variance is necessary in order to adequately provide facilities for the identified source school pupils.

preliminary applications unhoused pupils eligibility source schools facility location attendance area elementary schools high school location radius facility cost estimation site acquisition development costs distance variances school district State Department of Education

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.24

This section explains how the board handles preliminary funding applications for certain projects. First, the board confirms the applicant's eligibility and then allocates preliminary funds specifically set aside for these projects. For site development and acquisition, the funding is based on a preliminary appraisal or median land costs in the area. The total estimated project costs include several factors such as site costs, inflation, extra cost allowances, and potential hardship costs. The board also sets rules for calculating these costs.

(a) On the basis of the preliminary application and upon confirmation by the board of the applicant’s eligibility, the board shall in a timely manner make a preliminary apportionment for applicants under this article exclusively from funds reserved expressly for the purposes of this article.

(b) Preliminary apportionments for site development and acquisition included in the preliminary application pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17078.22 shall be based either on the preliminary appraisal, if available, or on the median costs of appropriately sized parcels within the qualifying area, as determined by the board.

(c) Preliminary apportionments shall include the total estimated state costs of the project, including, but not limited to, site acquisition and development costs related to evaluations and elimination of hazardous materials, an inflation factor, any applicable excess cost allowances, and hardship costs, if any. The board shall adopt regulations establishing standards and methods for setting these costs and for making related estimates.

preliminary apportionment eligibility confirmation funds reservation site development land acquisition preliminary appraisal median land costs state project costs hazardous materials evaluation inflation factor excess cost allowances hardship costs regulations cost estimation methods

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.25

This law outlines the timeframes and conditions for school districts in California to move from a preliminary funding apportionment to a final one for construction projects. Once a preliminary apportionment is granted, districts have up to four years to complete the necessary final application. They can request a one-year extension if they've made significant progress, but only if it keeps the project within the overall time limit set by another regulation. The school district must report annually on its progress and hold public hearings about it. If adequate progress isn't made, any reserved funds may be reallocated to other projects.

(a) Within the maximum time period set forth in Section 17078.30, the applicant shall have a period of up to four years from the date of the preliminary apportionment in which to complete the application for final apportionment.

(b) The applicant may request a single one-year extension of the period set forth in subdivision (a). The board shall grant the request for the single one-year extension if it determines that the applicant has made substantial progress towards completing the requirements for filing an application for final apportionment. The board may grant only one one-year extension for the project and may only grant the extension if granting the extension would not, in total, cause the project to exceed the maximum time period set forth in Section 17078.30.

(c) The board shall adopt regulations setting forth standards for determining the existence of substantial progress within the meaning of subdivision (b).

(d) The governing board of a school district shall report annually to the State Allocation Board regarding the progress made toward completing the requirements for filing an application for final apportionment, and shall annually hold, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board, a public hearing pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code) to discuss, and to receive public comment regarding, the report.

(e) In its first annual report the governing board of the school district shall certify that the State Department of Education has determined in writing that there is at least one approvable site within the proposed general location of the proposed facility identified pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 17078.22, or within the variance location authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17078.22.

(f) If the applicant for the one-year extension pursuant to subdivision (b) has not made substantial progress to complete the application process within the allotted time period, the preliminary apportionment shall be rescinded and shall be utilized by the board for funding of other projects that have received a preliminary apportionment pursuant to this article, or at the expiration of the maximum time allowed pursuant to Section 17078.30, the board shall use the funds for any other new construction purpose of this chapter.

preliminary apportionment final apportionment one-year extension substantial progress annual report public hearing State Allocation Board school district construction funding reallocation reporting requirements Ralph M. Brown Act approvable site project timeline funding utilization school facility projects

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 33, Sec. 24. Effective April 29, 2002.)

Section § 17078.27

This law explains the process of converting a preliminary grant for school construction into a final grant. First, the board adjusts the preliminary amount based on current funding amounts to make it final. They can only include cost increases if extra money is available. The law also details how to calculate student enrollment to determine funding needs, offering alternatives to standard methods. Schools can use either current year enrollment or a five-year projection based on the high school attendance area, but they must be consistent in the method they choose for different projects.

(a) Upon completion of the preliminary process authorized pursuant to this article, and when a preliminary applicant has complied with the conditions set forth in this chapter for a final apportionment, including, but not limited to, Section 17070.50, the board shall adjust the preliminary apportionment as set forth in subdivision (b) and as necessary to reflect the current eligible grant amounts for final apportionments pursuant to this chapter consistent with regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 17078.24. The board shall then convert the adjusted preliminary apportionment to a final apportionment and proceed to completion of the project in the same manner as for any project funded under provisions of this chapter other than this article.

(b) The board may adjust for cost increases only if uncommitted funds reserved expressly for the purposes of this article remain available for those purposes.

(c) For purposes of calculating enrollment to determine eligibility for a final apportionment for a project funded from the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002, as set forth in Part 68.1 (commencing with Section 100600), and the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004, as set forth in Part 68.2 (commencing with Section 100800), an applicant may use one of the following methods as an alternative to the method provided in subdivision (a) of Section 17071.75:

(1) The current year enrollment as recorded on the cohort survival enrollment projection system described in subdivision (a) of Section 17071.75, for the year in which the application for the final apportionment is submitted.

(2)

(A) If eligibility for the preliminary apportionment was calculated pursuant to Section 17071.76, the current year or five-year projected enrollment as recorded on a cohort survival enrollment projection system, developed and approved by the board, that uses pupil residence in the high school attendance area, for the year in which the application for the final apportionment is submitted.

(B) A school district that uses the method described in this paragraph to calculate enrollment shall also use this method to calculate enrollment for all applications it submits for final apportionments for projects for which preliminary apportionments were approved from the same bond authorization.

preliminary apportionment final apportionment cost increases enrollment calculation Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act cohort survival enrollment student enrollment project funding eligibility school construction grants bond authorization high school attendance area

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 710, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Section § 17078.30

This law explains what happens to leftover funds from state bonds voted on in 2002 and 2004. If the funds, which were meant for certain school projects, aren't used by a certain deadline, they can be reallocated for other new construction projects. A specific formula is used to calculate how much money can be redirected. This ensures that unused bond money doesn't sit idle but is instead put to use for other necessary projects.

(a)

(1) A portion of the funds reserved for the purposes set forth in this article from the proceeds of state bonds approved by the voters at the November 5, 2002, statewide general election that are not included in a preliminary apportionment for an application that is received by the deadline specified in subdivision (c) of Section 17078.20 shall thereafter be available to the board for apportionment for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

(2) The amount of funds that shall be made available to the board for purposes other than this article, pursuant to this subdivision, shall be calculated as follows:

(A) Add the total amount preliminarily apportioned to 15 percent of that amount.

(B) Take the number calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A) and subtract that number from the amount originally reserved for the purposes of this article.

(C) The number calculated pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall thereafter be available to the board for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

(3) All funds reserved for the purposes set forth in this article from the proceeds of state bonds approved by the voters at the November 5, 2002, statewide general election pursuant to a preliminary apportionment that are not included within a final apportionment within the timeframes permitted by Section 17078.25 shall thereafter be available to the board for apportionment for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

(b)

(1) A portion of the funds reserved for the purposes set forth in this article from the proceeds of state bonds approved by the voters at the 2004 direct primary election, or the 2004 statewide general election, as appropriate, that are not included in a preliminary apportionment for an application that is received by the deadline specified in subdivision (d) of Section 17078.20 shall thereafter be available to the board for apportionment for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

(2) The amount of funds that shall be made available to the board for purposes other than this article, pursuant to this subdivision, shall be calculated as follows:

(A) Add the total amount preliminarily apportioned to 15 percent of that amount.

(B) Take the number calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A) and subtract that number from the amount originally reserved for the purposes of this article.

(C) The number calculated pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall thereafter be available to the board for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

(3) All funds reserved for the purposes set forth in this article from the proceeds of state bonds approved by the voters at the 2004 direct primary election, or the 2004 statewide general election, as appropriate, pursuant to a preliminary apportionment that are not included within a final apportionment within the timeframes permitted by Section 17078.25 shall thereafter be available to the board for apportionment for any new construction purpose under any other article of this chapter.

state bonds 2002 general election 2004 elections preliminary apportionment final apportionment construction purposes funds reallocation school projects deadline unused funds calculation formula reallocation process construction projects 15 percent addition

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 935, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2003.)