Charter School Program Grant: Management, Updates, and Key Practices

About the Webinar:

Based on the transcript, here’s a summary for your website:

This informative session provided charter school leaders with essential guidance on the federal Charter School Program (CSP) grant, a critical funding source that supports the planning, implementation, and replication of high-quality charter schools across Florida. Chasity Ingram, CSP Grant Director, and Vicki Pineda, Charter Schools Director at the Florida Department of Education, explained how CSP grants work, who is eligible to apply, the types of activities that can be funded, and the application and award process. The presenters outlined the three main CSP grant categories: planning and implementation grants for new charter schools, expansion grants for existing schools adding grades or campuses, and replication grants for proven school models seeking to grow. They emphasized that CSP funding can be transformative for charter schools, providing crucial startup capital for facility costs, curriculum and instructional materials, technology infrastructure, staff recruitment and training, and other expenses that are challenging to cover through operating revenue alone, particularly in the vulnerable early years of a school’s operation.

Ingram and Pineda provided detailed guidance on grant management best practices, compliance requirements, and strategies for maximizing CSP funding impact while avoiding common pitfalls. They walked attendees through allowable and unallowable expenditures, budget management and modification procedures, documentation and reporting requirements, financial accountability standards, and the timeline for grant activities and reimbursements. The presenters shared updates on recent program changes, current funding priorities from the U.S. Department of Education, and Florida-specific implementation guidelines. They addressed frequently asked questions about matching funds requirements, indirect cost rates, sustainability planning beyond the grant period, and coordination with other funding sources. The session also covered technical assistance resources available through the Department, including workshops, webinars, one-on-one consultation, and sample documents to support grantees. Ingram and Pineda emphasized that while CSP grants provide valuable financial support, successful grant management requires strong systems for fiscal controls, regular communication with the Department, proactive problem-solving when challenges arise, and strategic planning to ensure long-term sustainability after grant funds are exhausted. Attendees left with comprehensive understanding of the CSP grant opportunity, practical tools for effective grant management, and connections to ongoing support that would help them leverage this federal funding to successfully launch, expand, or replicate high-quality charter schools serving Florida’s students.