Back to School Supplemental Aid
On August 30, 2022, Governor Evers announced an additional $75 million allocation for local education agencies (LEAs) from Wisconsin's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A list of allocations by LEA can be accessed via Adobe pdf file. These funds should be coded as source 780 revenue by districts.Terms and conditions for the program can be found below. These funds are considered as revenue received and deductible receipts in 2022-23.
Terms and Conditions for Back to School Supplemental Aid
Award Amount
Each school district in the State of Wisconsin (each, a “Grantee”) has been allocated a certain sum (its “Allocation”) based on the per-pupil categorical aid formula. The Allocation constitutes a financial assistance payment to Grantee as a beneficiary of federal assistance. The Allocation for each district is set forth on the allocation table below. Use of the Allocation is subject to the following terms and conditions.
Payment
The Department of Administration (“DOA”) will make a single lump sum payment to Grantees. The method of payment will either be via Automated Clearing House (ACH) or mailed check at DOA’s discretion. Grantee shall return to DOA any funds paid to Grantee in excess of the Allocation, or any funds DOA determines were misused or misappropriated.
Permitted Uses of Funds
A Grantee may use its Allocation consistent with how it spends its regular operating budget. The Allocation must be fully expended by December 31, 2026.
As indicated in the Department of Treasury’s (“Treasury”) Final Rule regarding the use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grants (“Final Rule”), Grantee’s Allocation shall not be used to:
- Service debt or replenish financial reserves (e.g., “rainy day funds”);
- Satisfy settlements and judgments; or
- Fund programs, services, or capital expenditures that include a term or condition that undermines efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Grantee’s Allocation also may not be used to influence federal contracting or financial transactions.
Grantee shall hold the State harmless for any audit disallowance related to the eligibility of expenses paid for with its Allocation, and Grantee shall be solely responsible for repaying DOA any ineligible amounts (plus any assessed interest, costs, or fees).
Procurement Limitations
Expenditures made with a Grantee’s Allocation must follow the Grantee’s procurement procedures, and Grantees must take reasonable steps to avoid acquisition of unnecessary or duplicative items, excessive costs, or other waste.
Records and Reporting
Grantee is responsible for maintaining records sufficient to demonstrate the appropriateness of all expenditures. Grantee shall cooperate with any inquiry by DOA relating to Grantee’s use of its Allocation. For a period of five (5) years from December 31, 2026, Grantee shall maintain copies of all documents, including electronic documents and files, relating to Grantee’s use of its Allocation.
Grantee shall timely provide DOA with all information that may be necessary to comply with DOA’s obligation to submit quarterly and annual reports to the Treasury pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Grantee shall also provide DOA with all information necessary to accomplish any public transparency reporting or Grantee monitoring that DOA deems necessary.
Based on Treasury guidance in effect as of the date of the award, DOA does not anticipate requiring Grantee to submit periodic reports to DOA regarding its expenditures, but reserves the right to request periodic reports from Grantee if it becomes necessary to meet Treasury reporting obligations.
Applicable Laws
The laws of the State of Wisconsin and the laws of the United States apply to this award, including without limitation ARPA, the Final Rule, and all other federal or state implementing guidance.
Audit
The Allocation to each Grantee constitutes the provision of government services by the State within the meaning of the Final Rule, and in accordance with guidance from the Treasury (see Treasury FAQ Nos. 13.14 and 13.15). Grantees are not required to include the Allocation funds in an audit of federal awards under 2 C.F.R. 200 Subpart F, or the State Single Audit Guidelines issued by DOA.
Non-discrimination
In connection with the performance of work funded with its Allocation, Grantee agrees not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability as defined in Wis. Stat. s. 51.01 (5), sexual orientation or national origin except as otherwise permitted by law. This is with respect to, but is not limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Grantee further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities.
Pursuant to 2019 Wisconsin Executive Order 1, Grantee agrees it will hire only on the basis of merit and will not discriminate against any persons performing a contract, subcontract or grant because of military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, genetic information or political affiliation.
Indemnification
In carrying out the provisions of this agreement or in exercising any power or authority contracted to Grantee thereby, there shall be no personal liability upon the State, it being understood that in such matters DOA acts as an agent and representative of the State.
Grantee shall indemnify and hold harmless the State and all of its officers, agents and employees from all suits, actions or claims of any character brought for or on account of (1) any injuries or damages received by any persons or property resulting from the operations of Grantee, or of any of its agents or sub-Grantees, in performing work funded with its Allocation, or (2) for or on account of any obligations arising out of agreements between Grantee and third parties to perform services or otherwise supply products or services.
Conflicts of Interest and Ethics
No person who is an employee, agent, consultant, or officer of Grantee, or an elected or appointed official, and who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to activities funded with its Allocation, or who is in a position to participate in a decision making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a personal or financial interest or benefit from the activity, or have an interest in any agreement or subcontract with respect thereto or the proceeds thereunder, either for themselves or those with whom they have family or business ties, during their tenure. Receipt of earnings from Grantee by employees of Grantee shall not be considered a conflict of interest, but otherwise employees of Grantee shall be fully bound by the requirements of this Article. Upon request, DOA can make exceptions to this requirement after full disclosure and where DOA determines that such exception is in the best interests of the State and is not contrary to state or federal laws.
Grantee agrees to disclose to DOA in writing any potential conflict of interest affecting the awarded funds so it can determine its own disclosure obligations to Treasury.
Grantee, its agents and employees shall observe all relevant provisions of the Ethics Code for Public Officials under Wis. Stat. ch. 19, subch. III, and the State Employee Code of Ethics, Wis. Admin. Code Ch. ER-MRS 24.