Section 17078.74 - Modernization grant adjustments(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a modernization grant adjustment provided pursuant to this section is not subject to the requirements of Section 17078.72.(b) An applicant school district may include plan design and other project components that promote career technical education to enhance the educational opportunities for pupils in existing middle and high schools, and may seek a modernization grant adjustment for the state's share of the increased costs associated with those components.(c) Career technical education components that enable school facilities to provide pupils with the skills and knowledge necessary for high-demand technical careers are eligible for inclusion into a project pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (1) Modernization of facilities to support career technical education programs.(2) Reconfiguring a structure of any age that will enhance the educational opportunities for pupils in existing middle and high schools in order to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary for high-demand technical careers.(3) Purchasing equipment with an average useful life expectancy of at least 10 years.(d)(1) In order to be eligible for the modernization grant adjustment pursuant to this section, the applicant shall certify that the cost for the project exceeds the amount of funding otherwise available to the applicant under this chapter and that the career technical education components are necessary to maintain industry standards.(2) The applicant shall submit necessary plans and specifications for career technical education components to the State Department of Education for approval, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria as stipulated, for modernization projects only, in Section 1859.192 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, with the exception of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1859.192 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.(e) The board shall provide an applicant for a modernization project with a grant adjustment to provide an increase not to exceed 5 percent of its state grants authorized by Section 17074.10 for the state's share of costs associated with the design, purchase, and installation related to career technical education components as set forth in this section.(f) An applicant career technical education program shall meet the criteria developed under subdivision (b) of Section 17078.72 and shall demonstrate all of the following:(1) A clear and comprehensive career technical education plan for each course of study applicable to the instructional space.(2) Projections of pupil enrollment.(3) Identification of feeder schools, industry partners, and community colleges or institutions of higher education participating in the development, articulation, and review of the educational program.(4) Evidence of approval of the plan described in paragraph (1) by the entities listed in paragraph (3) and the State Department of Education, including a determination by the State Department of Education that the application has scored at least 105 points as required under subdivision (c) of Section 1859.192 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.(5) The method by which accountability for pupil enrollments and outcomes will be maintained. Outcomes shall include, but are not limited to, certificate completion, successful entry of pupils to employment in the applicable industry, and successful transition to institutions of higher education for work in the applicable industry or other areas of study.(6) Evidence of coordination with all feeder schools, middle schools, and high schools within the area to ensure that the project and programs complement career technical education offerings in the area.(7) Evidence that upon completion of the project, the local educational agency will meet all of its obligations under Section 51228 relating to career technical education.(g) The Office of Public School Construction shall develop regulations, subject to board approval, to implement this section. The regulations shall include procedures for the submission of State Department of Education-approved plans and specifications as a condition for the modernization grant adjustment, in alignment with subdivision (b) of Section 1859.197 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.(h) Projects shall be subject to a program accountability expenditure audit, consistent with State Department of Education guidelines, to ensure compliance with the funding regulations. Any repayments due back to the state as a result of these audits shall be subject to the repayment provisions in Section 1859.106.1 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.Ca. Educ. Code § 17078.74
Added by Stats 2024 ch 81 (AB 247),s 27, eff. 7/3/2024, op. 11/6/2024, pursuant to Sec. 30 of Ch. 81..