The proposed bill, HB25-1061, aims to establish the Community Schoolyards Grant Program within the Division of Local Government in the Department of Local Affairs. This initiative seeks to transform school grounds into community-centric spaces that promote ecological learning, physical activity, and social interaction.
Key Components of the Grant Program:
Planning and Design Grant Program:
Purpose: To support the planning and design of community schoolyards.
Funding: Awards up to $150,000 to each selected grant recipient.
Eligibility: Open to schools, school districts, charter schools, and tribal organizations.
Capital Construction and Improvement Grant Program:
Purpose: To fund the construction and improvement of community schoolyards.
Funding: Awards up to $850,000 to each selected grant recipient.
Eligibility: Open to the same entities as the planning program.
Implementation Timeline:
Announcement and Application: The Division will announce each program, accept applications, and select grant recipients.
Distribution and Reporting: Grant funds will be distributed, with established reporting timelines and requirements for recipients.
Reporting to Legislature: By January 15, 2028, the Division will compile and submit a report summarizing grant recipient outcomes to various legislative committees.
Funding Source:
The program is financed through gifts, grants, donations, and appropriations from the General Assembly. Notably, the bill mandates a transfer of $4 million from the Local Government Severance Tax Fund to kickstart the program by September 1, 2025.
Implications:
This initiative aligns with national trends toward integrating community input in educational infrastructure projects. By investing in community schoolyards, the bill aims to create inclusive environments that benefit not only students but also families and local residents.
Summary
The bill creates the community schoolyards grant program (grant
program) in the division of local government (division) within the department of local affairs. The grant program is a 2-part grant program that includes:
•
The planning and design grant program (planning program), which awards up to $150,000 to each grant recipient selected by the division for the planning and design of a community schoolyard; and
•
The capital construction and improvement grant program (construction program), which awards up to $850,000 to each grant recipient selected by the division for the capital construction of a community schoolyard.
The division shall implement a timeline for the planning program
and the construction program (programs), which must include:
•
Announcing each of the programs;
•
Accepting applications from eligible applicants for each of the programs;
•
Selecting the grant recipients for each of the programs;
•
Distributing grant money to the grant recipients for each of the programs; and
•
Establishing reporting timelines and requirements for each of the programs.
On or before January 15, 2028, the division shall compile a report
summarizing the grant recipient reports from the programs. The division shall submit the report to the education committees of the house of representatives and senate; the house of representatives transportation, housing, and local government committee; and the senate local government and housing committee, or their successor committees.
The division may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of the grant
program.
