Section 232.60  Local Match; Use of State Funds

The Summer Bridges Program is typically operated in the very late portion of one fiscal year and sometimes concludes in the early weeks of the subsequent fiscal year.  The required components of each year's program (e.g., instructional materials, staff time, professional development) shall be paid for out of the later fiscal year's appropriation.

a)         Each district that receives funding pursuant to this Part shall be required to contribute a matching share equivalent to 20 percent of the amount awarded by the State Board of Education (ISBE).  The district's share may consist of funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of these, provided that all amounts are related to delivery of the program (e.g., transportation expenses, janitorial services, expenditures for utilities, salary and benefits for an administrator or coordinator, or food service).

b)         Each district shall allocate the State funds provided for the program within the range specified in this subsection (b) unless an exception is granted as discussed in subsection (c) of this Section.

1)         It is expected that between 45 and 55 percent of the funds provided by ISBE will be used for salaries and benefits related to the employment of instructional and support personnel for the program.

2)         It is expected that approximately 20 percent of the funds provided by ISBE will be needed for supplies and materials directly related to the curriculum delivered and not otherwise readily available within the district.  Each district shall use no less than $1,000 of its grant allocation per classroom for this purpose.

3)         It is expected that approximately 20 percent of the funds provided to each recipient will be used for professional development of staff holding educator licensure, including paraprofessional educators, who provide instruction and instructional support in the program.  All professional development shall be delivered by providers approved for purposes of educator licensure renewal (see 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25, Subpart J).

4)         Up to ten percent of the funds provided to each recipient may be used to offset expenses for administration or program coordination, provided that no support under this program shall be provided for personnel expenditures relative to any staff member employed on an 11- or 12-month contract with the recipient district.

c)         A district may expend more than 55 percent of the funds provided under this Part for personnel-related costs only if approved by the State Superintendent of Education based upon evidence of other resources that will be used to ensure the availability of the materials required under Appendix B of this Part and the provision of the professional development required under Section 232.50(f) of this Part.

d)         Limitations on Specific Expenditures

1)         Grant funds shall not be used to provide more than 130 hours' compensation for any teacher in the program.

2)         Grant funds shall not be used for costs associated with employing more than one support staff member (clerical or paraprofessional educator) for each four teachers in the program.

3)         A full-time program coordinator shall be supported only for programs enrolling at least 1,000 students.

4)         Grant funds may be used only to support classroom-based instruction and shall not be used for field trips or experiences.

5)         No food or food service expenditures shall be supported with funds provided under this Part.

6)         No equipment, software, or software licenses shall be purchased with funds provided under this Part.

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 8340, effective April 1, 2014)