Dept of Education: STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL ANNOUNCES $208 MILLION FOR CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FACILITIES

FROM THE DEPT OF EDUCATION

October 30, 2008

CONTACT: Tina Jung
PHONE: 916-319-0818
E-MAIL: tjung@cde.ca.gov


          SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced that the State Allocation Board (SAB) awarded more than $192 million to 47 schools for the construction and modernization of school facilities. Also, another $16 million for 23 schools was awarded to help pay for emergency repairs. The list of schools is attached.

          “Students are our most precious investment in the future, and they must have safe and modern facilities in which to learn,” said O’Connell. “I want to thank voters who approved bond measures to support California’s aging school facilities, so the State Allocation Board can make sure schools get the funds they need to provide the proper learning environment for children.”

O’Connell is a member of the SAB that also approved final construction apportionments for the Academy for Career Education charter school in Wheatland, Yuba County; and the Maria Montessori Charter Academy in Rocklin, Placer County. The SAB approved funds as well to assist the Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District in Bass Lake, Madera County; and Nuestro Elementary School in Live Oak, Sutter County, providing much needed safety enhancements. The California Department of Education worked closely with the districts to assist them in preparing their request to the SAB.

The SAB is responsible for determining the allocation of state resources, such as proceeds from General Obligation Bond issues and other designated State funds used for the new construction and modernization of local public school facilities. The SAB is also charged with the responsibility for the administration of the School Facility Program, the Charter School Facilities Program, the Overcrowded Relief Grant Program, the Critically Overcrowded School Facilities Program, the School Facility Joint-Use Program, Career Technical Education Facilities Program, the Emergency Repair Program, and the Deferred Maintenance Program.

The SAB is the policy-level body for the programs administered by the Office of Public School Construction. The SAB meets monthly to apportion funds to school districts, act on appeals, and adopt policies and regulations as they pertain to the programs administered by the SAB. For more information on the SAB, please visit http://www.opsc.dgs.ca.gov/AboutUs/aboutSAB.htm.