Project type
Two different rates are calculated for each Local Education Agency (school district, known as “LEA”) that is eligible under the School Construction Grant program.
General construction
Reimbursement rates are between 20% and 80%. Types of projects include:
- Renovations (priority)
- Extensions (priority)
- Major alterations of an existing school building (priority)
- Code violations (nonpriority)
- Roof replacements (nonpriority)
- New construction or replacement of a school building when a town or regional school district can demonstrate that new construction or replacement is less expensive than a renovation, extension, or major alteration of an existing school building (priority)
New construction
Reimbursement rates are between 10% and 70%. Types of projects include:
- New construction (priority)
- Replacement of a school building (priority)
Applicable year
For the non-priority and priority projects(s), the reimbursement rate will be the rate in effect for the fiscal year during which local funding authorization is secured. For example, if a district applies for a grant on July 3, 2023, but the local funds were secured on April 20th, 2023, then the FY 2023 rate is assigned to the project.
Special Reimbursement Rates
There are specific opportunities for districts to receive higher rates for school construction projects that meet statutory criteria. To qualify, applicants should:
- Answer the applicable questions when completing the grant application in CORE-CT;
- Demonstrate how the project meets the criteria for the special reimbursement rate(s) in the supporting materials submitted with the grant application (e.g., within the educational specifications) and by providing any relevant documentation from SDE (or OPM for the Housing/Planning Incentive) that supports the criteria; and
- For the early Childhood and Special Education Programming Incentives, ensure all relevant plans identify and outline the space for such programming.
Regional Incentives
- Regional agricultural science and technology education centers – projects receive an 80% reimbursement rate (see § 10-286(a)(4))
- Regional special education facilities as part of a long-term plan approved by SDE – projects receive an 80% reimbursement rate (see § 10-286(a)(4) and § 10-76e)
- Regional school districts established or expanded on or after July 1, 2016 – projects related to the establishment or expansion of the RSD for which applications are submitted within 10 years of the establishment or expansion receive an additional 10% (see § 10-285a(b))
- Cooperative arrangements pursuant to § 10-158a – projects receive an additional 10% (see §10-285a(d) and § 10-258a)
Public School Choice
- Projects for schools that make seats available for out-of-district students as part of the interdistrict program under § 10-266aa may receive up to an additional 10% depending on the percentage of seats made available (see § 10-285a(g) and § 10-266aa)
Early Childhood Care and Education Programming
- Projects for construction of an elementary school building or expansion of an existing elementary school building that include space for an early childhood care and education program that provides services for children from birth to five years receive an additional 15% (see § 10-285a(e))
Special Education Programming
- Projects for a new building or to renovate or expand an existing building that include plans for the expansion or creation of in-district special education programming and services may receive an additional 15% for the portion of the project used primarily for such programming and services (see P.A. 25-174, section 143)
- See also “Regional special education facilities” under Regional Incentives, above
Housing/Planning Incentive
- Priority List projects for which a school board or endowed academy submits an application on and after July 1, 2026 for a school building in a municipality that meets certain housing- and planning-related requirements receive an additional 5% to their reimbursement rate (see P.A. 25-1, November Special Session, section 46)
