Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST)
Jan 18, 2016
Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST)
Division of Capital ConstructionScott Newell
Director, Division of Capital [email protected] 303-866-6717
Regional Program ManagersDustin Guerin 303 866-6263 [email protected] Cheryl Honigsberg 303 866-6915 [email protected] Jay Hoskinson 303-866-6920 [email protected] Kevin Huber 303 866-6492 [email protected]
Office ManagerAnna Fitzer [email protected]
Finance ManagerPaul Reynolds [email protected]
For more information, visit the BEST website at: www.cde.state.co.us/cca
BEST Program TimelineJan. – Feb.
Application for financial assistance is
open to applicants
Mar. - AprilDivision Staff
reviews applications & summarizes them in a Summary
Book for the CCAB
April - MayCCAB reviews
Summary Book
End of MayCCAB discusses each project and
makes recommendations to the State Board for award
JuneState Board meeting to
approve CCAB recommendati
ons
July
Capital Development
Committee Meeting to approve State
Board recommendations
Year RoundWork with applicants
to evaluate their facility needs.
Charter School
Letter of Intent Due Oct. 26th
Building Excellent Schools Today
LEAKING ROOFS
POOR INDOOR
AIRQUALITY
CRUMBLING
BUILDINGS
POORDAY-
LIGHTING
ASBESTOS
CONTAINING
MATERIAL
ROTTINGROOF DECKS
Start strong Read by third grade
Meet or exceed standardsGraduate ready
CDE Strategic Goals:Every Student Every Step of the Way
6
Mission
The mission of CDE is to shape, support, and safeguard a statewide education system that
prepares students for success in a globally competitive world.
Vision
All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable
of succeeding in a globally competitive workforce.
To date, BEST has helped over
149,317 students
in 124 School Districts
Bringing Communities Together
21st Century Schools for our kids
Helping Create & Support Over
*Includes Direct, Indirect & Induced – Analysis performed by the State Demography Office & the Colorado Department of Local Affairs
19,586Jobs
261Public School Grants Funded
381 School Facilities
Impacted Through Best
BEST has Funded
$1,245,692,543
in Capital Projects
Out of ~$2.84 Billion in requested funds
BEST Projects Funded by Dollar Amount
ADA, 0.08%
Other, 0.23%
Abatement/Asbestos, 0.60%
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler, 0.67%Boiler, 0.80%Security, 0.81%
Water Systems, 1.02%
HVAC, 1.36%
Roof, 4.18%
Addition, 8.27%
Renovation, 16.58%
New School / School Replacement, 65.39%
BEST Projects Funded by Project Type
ADA, 1.15%
Water Systems, 2.97%
Boiler, 3.74%Abatement/Asbestos, 3.77%Addition, 4.16%Other, 4.87%
Security, 7.28%
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler, 7.66%
HVAC, 9.25%
Renovation, 10.36%New School / School Replacement, 15.55%
Roof, 29.24%
-Facility Information-Ownership-History of facility-*New* History of capital improvements to facility
.
-Demonstration of Need-How the project scope fits the program statutory
requirements-Specific and compelling
.
-Scope Identification-Solution is well planned -Due diligence has occurred
.
-Budget- Figures are thorough and appropriate- Matching funds have been identified
The BEST Application Process
Question: How can schools best position their application for success?
Answer:- Work with Division staff
- Evaluate scope against the BEST program statutory requirements
- Have the matching funds clearly identified
- Write a quality application
The BEST Application Process
Question: What questions should charter schools be asking their regional program manager?
Answer:- Does this project fit in with program funding
objectives
- What due diligence should be performed for this type of project
- Can the Division provide feedback on the application prior to submittal deadline
The BEST Application Process
Question: What information should schools have prepared in advance?
Answer:- A detailed budget, construction schedule,
project management plan and a construction committee.
- Information on the history of the facility and organization
- A long range facility master plan
The BEST Application Process
Question: How critical is the applicant presentation and what information should be included in the presentation to the board?
Answer:- Very critical as outstanding concerns,
questions and comments will be addressed during this presentation
- The presenters should be prepared to answer questions about their organization, long-term facility needs, their budget, their match and the scope of work
-*NEW* several presenters will be allowed to present
The BEST Application Process
Question: What FAQs do you hear from charter schools?
Answer:- Can the grant be used for growth? No- Can a loan or financing be used for the
match? Yes- Can other grants be used for the match? Yes- Can we use “in-kind” donations for the
match? No- Can we buy land? No, unless it is part of a
new construction project- Can grant funds be used in a leased space?
No- Do we have to build new or can we renovate
an existing space? Depends
The BEST Application Process
Question: What do you think charter schools should know before they start the process?
Answer: - The process to start a capital improvement
project requires a lot of time and effort.
- The school should establish a construction committee
- The grant is extremely competitive as are the statewide needs
- Planning is critical
The BEST Application Process
Questions