COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 29

February 2, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Competitive School Division Grants for Leadership Development Programs Fiscal Year 2008

The 2006 General Assembly appropriated $500,000 in fiscal year 2007 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2008 for competitive grants of $100,000 each to school divisions that have a partnership agreement with a Virginia institution of higher education or another entity for a defined leadership development preparation program that addresses the leadership standards established by the Board of Education. These funds are available to all school divisions including those that received funds during the 2004-2006 biennium (i.e. fiscal years 2005 or 2006). Standards and guidelines for school divisions to use to apply for these grants will include the Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel and the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers, Administrators, and Superintendents, January 6, 2000. Five competitive grants totaling up to $100,000 each will be awarded for fiscal year 2008. School divisions that are awarded a competitive leadership grant for fiscal year 2008 shall be allowed to retain any unspent balances at the end of the fiscal year and shall be permitted to spend any remaining balances for the intended purposes during the ensuing two fiscal years (FY 2009 and FY 2010).

In an effort to assist school divisions with additional information about the school leadership initiative funded by the General Assembly, the following dates have been established for interested school division personnel:

1. submission of a competitive grant proposal intent form (attached) by February 23, 2007, to develop and implement a school leadership development preparation program;

2. technical assistance meeting for school personnel and partnering institution of higher education representatives on March 2, 2007, in the Richmond area;

3. development and submission of proposals in accordance with attached submission instructions, to the Department of Education on or before April 30, 2007; and

4. notification of grant recipients by June 1, 2007. Funds from grants awarded on June 2, 2007, will be available from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008. Criteria for evaluating proposals are attached. Interested applicants will be able to discuss specific issues during the technical assistance meeting scheduled for March 2, 2007.

For more information regarding the school leadership development grants to be awarded to school divisions which demonstrate a partnership agreement with a Virginia institution of higher education or other entity, please contact Mrs. Patty S. Pitts, assistant superintendent for teacher education and licensure, (Patty.Pitts@doe.virginia.gov) at (804) 371-2471 or Dr. James W. Lanham, associate director of teacher licensure and school leadership, (James.Lanham@doe.virginia.gov) at (804) 371-2471. 

BKCJr:jwl

Attachments

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2007/inf029a.pdf

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2007/inf029b.pdf