Facility Equity Initiative

Every child deserves to attend a 21st century learning environment. This is not a reality for many Rhode Island students that enroll in our neediest districts. Consistent with State Priorities, RIDE’s Strategic Plan, and Rhode Island General Law, the Rhode Island Department of Education created a new initiative in FY 2022 to help create facility equity between Rhode Island students. The initiative continues in FY'23 with $30M in funding to expand the eligibility to the ten LEAs with base reimbursement rates over 45%. 

These communities enroll most of the State’s Free and Reduced Lunch students, Multilingual learners, and Differently Abled students. These resources will allow LEAs to fund projects that otherwise would not advance or would rely on issuing high interest bonds. The focus of this initiative is to provide transformative 21st century learning spaces to students in these communities. Preference is given to community spaces (i.e., library, media center, science labs, cafeteria, auditorium) that are used by most students at each school.

The School Building Authority has partnered with the Office of Energy Resources (OER) and the Division of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (DEDI) to provide LEAs with additional resources. All LED lighting projects will receive 100% State reimbursement.  Any project that achieves a minimum 15% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) utilization will receive an increase of 10 bonus points on their State reimbursement rate.

Eligible districts that completed Asset Protection Plans by June 30, 2022 have access to upfront progress payments funding to prioritize and expedite high impact educational enhancements with the ultimate goal of creating facility equity between all Rhode Island students. 

FY'23 Facility Equity Initiative Overview

FY'23 Facility Equity Initiative Application

FY'23 Facility Equity Initiative Payment Request Form

If your LEA has an interest in the Facility Equity Initiative, please submit an application(s) by December 1, 2022.

Applications Available:                    September 15, 2022
Applications Due:                            December 1, 2022
Council Meeting:                             TBD, January 2023
Substantial Completion:                  June 30, 2024

Applications must be sent electronically to SBACapitalFund@ride.ri.gov by C.O.B. December 1, 2022. 

Previous SBA Capital Fund Awards

The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education has approved over $75M of School Building Authority Capital Fund projects since FY 2016.