N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:26A-2.4

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section 6A:26A-2.4 - Application procedures for county vocational school district career and technical education grants

(a) Each applicant for CVSD CTE grants shall submit a completed application with the following required information in a format prescribed by the Commissioner:

1. A completed application form;

2. Updates in the Department's web-based long-range facilities plan reporting system to the CVSD's room inventories of the school(s) and associated building(s) for which grant funding is requested to represent existing and proposed conditions as represented in the school facilities project application;

3. A complete educational school facilities project application schematic submission as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:26-3.2(b)1;

4. Certification by the chief school administrator that the application is in compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.1;

5. A project description of the proposed school facilities project and how it supports CTE program expansion in accordance with labor market demands and economic development goals, including proposed changes to existing CTE programs and student capacity;

6. A narrative explanation of how the application addresses the objectives of the grant program at N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.1(c), as applicable, and as outlined below:

i. For equitable access, the application shall present a targeted and achievable plan for identifying, recruiting, enrolling, and supporting students from special populations. The plan shall include the following:

(1) A data analysis of students served, including a baseline, trends, and gaps, and county demographics;

(2) Targets for annual increases in representation of student populations identified as underserved and aimed at programs that reflect county demographic data;

(3) Research-based strategies for effectively assembling and communicating with students and families in the identified subgroups, including when and where the CVSD anticipates making the communications; and

(4) A value proposition that promotes CTE generally and the new program(s) specifically.

ii. To demonstrate collaboration, the application shall include, at a minimum:

(1) Letters of interest submitted by one or more interested partners;

(2) The grade levels and anticipated number of students to be served;

(3) Details on the partnership, including the frequency and duration of the program or events and the organizational structure for communication and delivery; and

(4) Details on the process by which the CVSD engaged employers to identify workforce needs.

iii. An application that includes industry-valued credentials shall explain:

(1) How the program is aligned to an industry-valued credential; and

(2) How the curriculum will promote success for all students in obtaining the industry-valued credential.

iv. An application that includes college credits shall include:

(1) A sustainable plan that funds college credits for economically disadvantaged students enrolled in the program; and

(2) A partnership agreement with an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education;

v. An application that includes an apprenticeship shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) A signed letter of interest by an industry partner or county college partner, as applicable;

(2) A description of the current or planned pre-apprenticeship model to be offered with the industry partner;

(3) The estimated number of students who will be able to participate in the apprenticeship program;

(4) A clearly developed plan for the cost of student participation, such as student transportation, supplies, materials, and access to support services. The plan must include a sustainability plan; and

(5) A specific and detailed plan for student transition to directly enter a registered apprenticeship program from a pre-apprenticeship program.

vi. An explanation of the extent to which the proposed project will meet the innovation criteria set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.1(c)6;

7. A copy of the resolution adopted by the CVSD's district board of education authorizing the application for the grant;

8. A copy of the resolution adopted by the county board of chosen freeholders approving the application's submission and the total amount of county contribution; and

9. For proposed work to leased property, the CVSD shall also submit:

i. An executed lease agreement or a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the CVSD and the lessor that memorializes the requirements set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.1(d)5; and

ii. The CVSD's district board of education resolution that includes an acknowledgment that, upon termination of the lease by either party prior to June 30, 2044, the CVSD shall be required to return a pro rata share of the CVSD CTE grant to the Commissioner.

(b) CVSDs shall be limited to one grant application for each school campus.

1. For the purposes of this subsection only, "school campus" shall mean a parcel of land that is non-contiguous with other school district-owned properties. One school campus may include one or more schools in one or multiple buildings.

2. The school district's grant application may address all or some schools and buildings on the school campus.

(c) The Commissioner will review all applications for completeness.

(d) The Commissioner will advance complete applications to be evaluated and scored based on the requirements in (a) above and the criteria at N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.3.

(e) The Commissioner may request clarification or additional information from the applicant during the evaluation and scoring of the application.

(f) No CVSD shall make material changes to the project after approval of the grant by the Legislature pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-1.5. All non-material changes to the proposed project, including value engineering as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-2.2(a)2 and square footage reductions that do not impact proposed CTE student seats or change the rubric score of the application, shall be approved by the Commissioner. Violation of this subsection shall result in the termination of the grant agreement and repayment of any grant funds to the Department by the CVSD.

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:26A-2.4

Adopted by 52 N.J.R. 694(a), effective 4/6/2020