Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST)

Division of Capital ConstructionScott Newell

Director, Division of Capital ConstructionNewell_S@cde.state.co.us 303-866-6717

Regional Program ManagersDustin Guerin 303 866-6263 Guerin_D@cde.state.co.us Cheryl Honigsberg 303 866-6915 Honigsberg_C@cde.state.co.us Jay Hoskinson 303-866-6920 Hoskinson_J@cde.state.co.us Kevin Huber 303 866-6492 Huber_K@cde.state.co.us

Office ManagerAnna Fitzer 303-866-6184Fitzer_A@cde.state.co.us

Finance ManagerPaul Reynolds 303-866-6137reynolds_P@cde.state.co.us

For more information, visit the BEST website at: www.cde.state.co.us/cca

BEST Program TimelineJan. – Feb.

Application for financial assistance is

open to applicants

Mar. - AprilDivision Staff

reviews applications & summarizes them in a Summary

Book for the CCAB

April - MayCCAB reviews

Summary Book

End of MayCCAB discusses each project and

makes recommendations to the State Board for award

JuneState Board meeting to

approve CCAB recommendati

ons

July

Capital Development

Committee Meeting to approve State

Board recommendations

Year RoundWork with applicants

to evaluate their facility needs.

Charter School

Letter of Intent Due Oct. 26th

Building Excellent Schools Today

LEAKING ROOFS

POOR INDOOR

AIRQUALITY

CRUMBLING

BUILDINGS

POORDAY-

LIGHTING

ASBESTOS

CONTAINING

MATERIAL

ROTTINGROOF DECKS

Start strong Read by third grade

Meet or exceed standardsGraduate ready

CDE Strategic Goals:Every Student Every Step of the Way

6

Mission

The mission of CDE is to shape, support, and safeguard a statewide education system that

prepares students for success in a globally competitive world.

Vision

All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable

of succeeding in a globally competitive workforce.

To date, BEST has helped over

149,317 students

in 124 School Districts

Bringing Communities Together

21st Century Schools for our kids

Helping Create & Support Over

*Includes Direct, Indirect & Induced – Analysis performed by the State Demography Office & the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

19,586Jobs

261Public School Grants Funded

381 School Facilities

Impacted Through Best

BEST has Funded

$1,245,692,543

in Capital Projects

Out of ~$2.84 Billion in requested funds

BEST Projects Funded by Dollar Amount

ADA, 0.08%

Other, 0.23%

Abatement/Asbestos, 0.60%

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler, 0.67%Boiler, 0.80%Security, 0.81%

Water Systems, 1.02%

HVAC, 1.36%

Roof, 4.18%

Addition, 8.27%

Renovation, 16.58%

New School / School Replacement, 65.39%

BEST Projects Funded by Project Type

ADA, 1.15%

Water Systems, 2.97%

Boiler, 3.74%Abatement/Asbestos, 3.77%Addition, 4.16%Other, 4.87%

Security, 7.28%

Fire Alarm / Sprinkler, 7.66%

HVAC, 9.25%

Renovation, 10.36%New School / School Replacement, 15.55%

Roof, 29.24%

-Facility Information-Ownership-History of facility-*New* History of capital improvements to facility

.

-Demonstration of Need-How the project scope fits the program statutory

requirements-Specific and compelling

.

-Scope Identification-Solution is well planned -Due diligence has occurred

.

-Budget- Figures are thorough and appropriate- Matching funds have been identified

The BEST Application Process

Question: How can schools best position their application for success?

Answer:- Work with Division staff

- Evaluate scope against the BEST program statutory requirements

- Have the matching funds clearly identified

- Write a quality application

The BEST Application Process

Question: What questions should charter schools be asking their regional program manager?

Answer:- Does this project fit in with program funding

objectives

- What due diligence should be performed for this type of project

- Can the Division provide feedback on the application prior to submittal deadline

The BEST Application Process

Question: What information should schools have prepared in advance?

Answer:- A detailed budget, construction schedule,

project management plan and a construction committee.

- Information on the history of the facility and organization

- A long range facility master plan

The BEST Application Process

Question: How critical is the applicant presentation and what information should be included in the presentation to the board?

Answer:- Very critical as outstanding concerns,

questions and comments will be addressed during this presentation

- The presenters should be prepared to answer questions about their organization, long-term facility needs, their budget, their match and the scope of work

-*NEW* several presenters will be allowed to present

The BEST Application Process

Question: What FAQs do you hear from charter schools?

Answer:- Can the grant be used for growth? No- Can a loan or financing be used for the

match? Yes- Can other grants be used for the match? Yes- Can we use “in-kind” donations for the

match? No- Can we buy land? No, unless it is part of a

new construction project- Can grant funds be used in a leased space?

No- Do we have to build new or can we renovate

an existing space? Depends

The BEST Application Process

Question: What do you think charter schools should know before they start the process?

Answer: - The process to start a capital improvement

project requires a lot of time and effort.

- The school should establish a construction committee

- The grant is extremely competitive as are the statewide needs

- Planning is critical

The BEST Application Process

Questions