The purpose of this Commissioner’s Communication is to clarify amendment and program adjustment deadlines for the 2009-2010 Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP). The deadlines apply to all programs included in the ACSIP plans and budgets.
The web-based ACSIP program will lock out submissions from districts at midnight on May 15, 2010. Every year, May 15th will be the deadline for submissions. This means there will no longer be separate dates for the submission of amendments and adjustments. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
An amendment increases or decreases the total amount budgeted, adds a budget function code (line item) or budget object, adds staff, or increases or decreases the amount budgeted for capital outlay. Program adjustments move money around within the approved budget categories, but do not change the total amount budgeted and do not add a new staff position, a new budget function code or budget object, or change capital outlay. The extended deadline allows schools and/or districts the opportunity to give thoughtful consideration to the reallocation of funds and the addition and/or inclusion of additional funds for appropriate expenditures.
The change in the lock-out date also provides a longer submission window. This allows school and/or district ACSIP committees to maximize opportunities to complete school improvement planning activities that facilitate early submission of plans. The submission window for the 2010-2011 ACSIP will run June 1, 2010 thru midnight October 1, 2010.
Section 80.30 of Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) requires that Arkansas school districts obtain prior approval of the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) for changes in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs included in the ACSIP. For assistance with making changes to the ACSIP, contact the assigned ACSIP program advisor.
For assistance with NCLB fiscal issues, contact Ms. Annette Carlton-Pearson at 501-683-1243 or Ms. Kim Bajorek at 501-683-6530.