State says reviews of school improvement grant applications are delayed ahead of Oct. 31 deadline

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development said Friday that its reviews of districts' school improvement funding applications are delayed, citing staffing changes. The department gave no timeline for completing them.

School improvement funding is grant money for schools the state identifies as needing support. Districts applied in July, according to the department's Oct. 2 newsletter.

The timing matters because of the department's own deadline. Under its District GMS Overview, its guide to the online grants management system, initial applications must be approved by Oct. 31 for districts to seek reimbursement for first-quarter spending. School improvement funds cannot be carried over.

New School Improvement Program Manager Kerri Bartholomew started in August.

Quarter 1 Quarterly Progress Monitoring Reports, due Oct. 15, are recommended but not required unless a district requires them. Quarter 2 and end-of-year reports remain required.

Districts with concerns should contact their school improvement point of contact.