Sec. 10-265h. Grants for priority school districts for general improvements to school buildings. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 10-265h. Grants for priority school districts for general improvements to school buildings. (a) The Commissioner of Education shall establish, within available bond authorizations, a grant program to assist priority school districts in paying for general improvements to school buildings. For purposes of this section "general improvements to school buildings" means work that (1) is generally not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to chapter 173, and (2) is to (A) replace windows, doors, boilers and other heating and ventilation system components, internal communications systems, lockers, and ceilings including the installation of new drop ceilings, (B) upgrade restrooms including the replacement of fixtures, (C) upgrade and replace lighting, or (D) install security equipment including, but not limited to, video surveillance devices and fencing, provided "general improvements to school buildings" may include work not specified in this subdivision if the school district provides justification for such work acceptable to the Commissioner of Education, but shall not include routine maintenance such as painting, cleaning, equipment repair or other minor repairs or work done at the administrative facilities of a board of education.

      (b) Eligibility for grants pursuant to this section shall be determined for a five-year period based on a school district's designation in the initial year of application as a priority school district. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon the filing of an application and a satisfactory annual evaluation. School districts shall apply for grants pursuant to this section at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes.

      (c) Priority school districts shall receive grants based on the formula established in subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 10-265f. No funds received by a school district pursuant to this section shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such town for improvements to school buildings.

      (d) Expenditure reports shall be filed with the Department of Education as requested by the commissioner. School districts shall refund (1) any unexpended amounts at the close of the project for which the grants are awarded and (2) any amounts not expended in accordance with the approved grant application.

      (e) General improvements for which grants are awarded in any year shall be completed by the end of the succeeding fiscal year.

      (P.A. 98-243, S. 8, 25; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 116, 121; P.A. 00-220, S. 15, 43.)

      History: P.A. 98-243 effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subsec. (c) to specify that grants be based on formula in Sec. 10-265f, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 00-220 amended Subsec. (a) to add video surveillance devices in Subdiv. (2)(D), effective July 1, 2000.