ARRA - Education Stabilization Fund - SFSF
Category Recipient Funding Description Application deadline
Education Stabilization Fund Eligible LEAs By Formula PAST *

* The application period for the award has expired. Please contact recovery@ode.state.oh.us to request information on additional application periods that may be offered.

If you suspect the abuse or fraud of any tax dollars, including federal stimulus funds, you can contact the Auditor of State at 866-FRAUD OH or by filing a report. You may also file a report with the Ohio Inspector General by clicking here, or with the Office of Inspector General, Washington D.C., by clicking here. In addition, for fraud related specifically to federal stimulus funds, a complaint can be filed with the federal Recovery Board by clicking here.

Description of Fund

Ohio has been allocated $845 million from the ARRA in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) to help stabilize state and local budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in education and other essential services. Education SFSF for primary and secondary education will be distributed to school districts as part of the foundation settlement payments each month – total foundation support will include both state and federal SFSF funds.

Who is eligible?

Stabilization funds are required to be distributed through the main funding formula for the state, which is reported on the district SF-3 form. School districts, community schools, and independent STEM schools which receive payments based on the district SF-3 form will be eligible for the program.

Application Process

According to ARRA, local education agencies must apply to the state for SFSF.  Currently, the application deadline for Education Stabilization Fund has passed.  Superintendents or treasurers who desire to complete a late application should contact us at recovery@ode.state.oh.us and enter SFSF into the subject line.

Guidance and Uses of Funds

Federal

Education SFSF for primary and secondary education will be distributed to school districts as part of the foundation settlement payments each month – total foundation support will include both state and federal SFSF funds. ARRA authorizes a district to use SFSF funds for any activity that is authorized under the following federal education acts:

  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA);
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
  • The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA); or
  • The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act).

The ARRA also provides that, to the extent consistent with state law, a district may use SFSF for modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, including modernization, renovation, and repairs that are consistent with a recognized green building rating system. However, these funds may not be used for

(a) stadiums or other facilities primarily used for athletic contests or exhibitions or other events for which admission is charged to the general public;

(b) improvement of stand-alone facilities whose purpose is not the education of children, including central office administration or operations or logistical support facilities; and

(c) school modernization, renovation, or repair that is inconsistent with state law. In addition, if a district uses SFSF for modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, it must comply with prevailing wage laws and specific requirements relating to the use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project.

State

Districts may expend State Fiscal Stabilization (SFSF) stimulus funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, including modernization, renovation, and repairs that are consistent with a recognized green-building rating system.  The funds may also be used for the construction of new buildings. LEAs must certify the construction meets the requirements of the program. For state-level guidance on Uses of Funds, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Phase II

Education Reform Assurance Indicators and Descriptors

Allocations / Awards

  • Education Stabilization Awards are included in each district’s Foundation Statement of Settlement Report.

Quarterly Reports

1512 Quarterly Reporting is no longer required for this grant

Reporting Requirements

The Ohio Department of Education collects data from ARRA Program sub recipients on a quarterly basis and reports that data to the federal reporting web site on behalf of LEAs. The data that is collected consists of the calculated FTE  and description of jobs created or retained and funded by that program, the identity of any vendor who received a single payment from a single ARRA fund in excess of $25,000.00 and the amount and description of Infrastructure expenditures for applicable programs. Updated reporting guidance for each quarter can be found on the ODE Stimulus Updates – ARRA main page under the heading Data and Reporting Guidance.

To facilitate the reporting, districts will be required to receipt SFSF into a new fund. To facilitate depository and reporting requirements, the statement of settlement will segregate state and federal funds. In addition, districts will be required to report the receipt and expenditure of the SFSF on the five year forecast.

Category Fund # CFDA ARRA SCC:  
FY10,  FY11
Education Stabilization Fund 532 84.394 932N,  932O

Monitoring

The U.S. Department of Education  is committed to ensuring maximum transparency and accountability in the use of ARRA funds.   As such, the USDoE will thoroughly and systematically monitor each State’s and subgrantee’s implementation of the SFSF program.  States also have important oversight responsibilities over the implementation of ARRA and must monitor grant and subgrant supported activities to ensure compliance with applicable Federal requirements.  If a State or its subgrantees fail to comply with requirements governing these funds, the Department may, consistent with applicable administrative procedures, take one or more enforcement actions, including withholding or suspending, in whole or part, funds awarded under the program, or recovering misspent funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For more specific stimulus funding inquiries, please contact us at recovery@ode.state.oh.us.