Educational Technology Training Grants - FY 2019

Libraries are now eligible for TEACH Technology Training Grants under 2017 Wisconsin Act 142. The act expands eligibility in the Technology for Educational Achievement program (TEACH) to include certain rural community libraries. 

In FY19 the Wisconsin Department of Administration awarded approximately $1.5M in TEACH Educational Technology Training Grants to 23 consortia comprised of 196 eligible rural school districts and 9 consortia comprised of 172 public libraries.

Eligibility Requirements:

School Districts

A consortium of school districts is eligible for a grant under this section if all the following apply:

1. The consortium consists of 3 or more school districts.
   
2.  Each school district's membership in the previous school year divided by that school district's area in square miles is 13 or less.
   
3. The consortium applies for a grant.
   

Libraries

A consortium consists of 3 or more eligible public libraries or public library branches.  A library system is also eligible to apply if the system contains 3 or more eligible public libraries or public library branches.

Each public library or branch must meet both of the following population-related criteria to be eligible (2017 WI Act 142 s. 16.996 (2m) (3) (b)):

1. Location in a rural territory as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census.  This definition is as follows: a territory, population, and housing units located outside of an urban area (1,000 or more people per square mile in a developed territory that contains 50,000 or more people) and urban clusters (1,000 or more people per square mile in a developed territory that has at least 2,500 people but fewer than 50,000 people).
   
2. The population of the municipality within which the library or branch of the library is located is 20,000 or less.

Maximum Awards:

School Districts

 For each school district in the consortium the maximum award shall be the following amounts:

• If membership of eligible school districts is less than 750 pupils in the previous year, $7,500.

•  If membership of eligible school districts is 750 pupils to 1,500 pupils in the previous year, $10 multiplied by the school district's membership in the previous year.

•  If membership of eligible school districts is more than 1,500 pupils in the previous year, $15,000.

Libraries

For each eligible public library, library branch or eligible public library in the consortium the maximum award shall be the following amounts:

• $500 for each eligible public library or branch in the consortium or system located in a municipality the population of which is 2,000 or less.

• $750 for each eligible public library or branch in the consortium or system located in a municipality the population of which is at least 2,001 but less than 5,000.

• $1,000 for each eligible public library or branch in the consortium or system located in a municipality the population of which is at least 5,000 but less than 20,001.

Fiscal Agent Responsibility:

Each grant consortium is required to designate a fiscal agent for financial administration of the grant. For school districts the fiscal agent may be a school district eligible for the grant or a CESA. For public libraries the fiscal agent may be a public library eligible for the grant or a Public Library Consortium. The fiscal agent will be responsible for the following:

• Coordinate the collection of all grant submission documents, including budget detail for each consortium member, to be made on behalf of the consortium to meet all deadlines.

• Complete the application on behalf of the consortium and complete the application certification statement that all of the application components are included and the proposed expenditure items are eligible.

• Notify consortium members of their grant award status and designated amount to include any necessary planning to readjust budget if award amount is pro-rated.

• Coordinate collection and submission of any information necessary in the event of an audit.

• Coordinate, prepare and submit required financial and program reports.

• Provide for reimbursement of expenditures to consortium members.

• Maintain documentation of grant activities, including expenditures, according to grant award.
  

Eligible Districts & Libraries:

FY19 Eligible School Districts

FY19 Eligible Libraries

STATE IDs/AUDITS:

Although the grant program will be listed in the Department of Administration's Annual Inventory of State Funded Grants/Programs, it will not be assigned a State ID, since it will not be included in the scope of a single audit.

WUFAR Codes:

Please see the Department of Public Instruction's (DPI's) website for WUFAR Codes.

Application Due Date: May 4, 2018

Grant Awards: FY19 TEACH_Data

Grant Period: September 1, 2018 - August 30, 2019

The Educational Technology Training Grants are annual awards, and any activities funded must occur during the specified grant award period. Awardees must obligate their funds by the end of the grant award period in which the funds were awarded. Funds must be liquidated 60 days from the end of the grant period.

Reimbursement Due Dates:

Note: Consortia who miss submitting reimbursement claims for a specific period may submit claims up until the due date of the final request for reimbursement claims, which is October 30, 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions: FAQsFY19

We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions. However, if you need clarification on one of these questions or have a different question, contact TEACH - teach@wisconsin.gov or 608-261-5054. It is our pleasure to serve you.

Budget Transfers:

2019 TEACH Technology Training Grantees may transfer awarded funds amongst their organization's approved teaching events upon approval by TEACH. Consortia Fiscal Agents should contact the TEACH Grants Administrator for details.

Grant & Reimbursement Process Flow: App-Reimb Flowchart

Additional Resources:

• Listening Session: click here

• Listening Session Feedback

• FY19 Reimb form Districts

• FY19 Reimb form Libraries

For more information, please contact the TEACH Grants Administrator, teach@wisconsin.gov or 608-261-5054.