Rhode Island Necessity of School Construction (Facility Opportunity Initiative) is sponsored by Rhode Island School Building Authority via RIDE. State‑level competitive grants for school building repairs, improvements, and construction to modernize learning environments.

Necessity of School Construction | RI Department of Education Official State of Rhode Island website Change the visual color theme between light or dark modes Adjust the font size from the system default to a larger size Adjust the space between lines of text from the system default to a larger size Adjust the space between words from the system default to a larger size Back to School 2025-2026 School Year Career & Technical Education Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Schools Multilingual Learners (MLLs) / English Learners (ELs) Facilitated IEP/504 Meetings Teachers & Administrators Federal Program Monitoring Other Tools & Information State Assessment Resources for Families Early Childhood Education Instructional Initiatives & Resources Information & Accountability Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) School District Financial Data School Building Authority Requesting Public Records Navigating Difficult Conversations Meeting Schedule, Agendas, Minutes Strategic Plan for Public Education 2022-2027 School Building Authority Necessity of School Construction School District Financial Data Uniform Chart of Accounts School Building Authority Necessity of School Construction Statutes, Regulations, and Guidance Facility Data & Information 21st Century Technology and Equipment Fund Menu for Success Food Truck Initiative Necessity of School Construction The Necessity of School Construction Application is accepted on an annual basis.

Stage I application is due to the School Building Authority by September 15, 2025 and February 15, 2026. The Necessity of School Construction process is a multi-stage application that requires LEAs to conduct thorough facility assessments toward the creation of an efficient and prudent masterplan.

Once reviewed and vetted, the School Building Authority will recommend projects for approval by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Approved projects are eligible for State aid through one of three mechanisms: Housing Aid reimbursement, School Construction Bond pay-as-you-go funding, or SBA Capital Fund progress payments.

2025-2026 Necessity of School Construction Deadlines Stage I - by September 15, 2025 Stage II - by February 15, 2026 Council Approval - May 2026 Stage I - by February 15, 2026 Stage II - by September 15, 2026 Council Approval - December 2026 Necessity of School Construction Process Overview 2025 Square Foot Cost Guidance New - January 2025 - The SBA has launched a new Necessity of School Construction application portal for the submission of Stage I and II applications.

The portal can be accessed at: https://portal. ride. ri.

gov Guidance for using the Necessity Portal Stage 1 & 2 - Necessity of School Construction Application The Necessity of School Construction process is a multi-stage application that requires LEAs to conduct thorough assessments toward the creation of an efficient and prudent masterplan.

STAGE I – IDENTIFICATION OF NEED Stage I begins with LEAs submitting a Letter of Intent, as well as a commitment to follow the School Construction Regulations and all applicable statutes and regulations. During Stage I, LEAs conduct facility conditions assessments, prepare demographic projections, and provide educational programs for each school facility.

Through the careful study of these factors LEAs attain a comprehensive understanding of districtwide capacity, enrollment trends, and the alignment of existing facilities to the educational program being offered in each school. STAGE II – DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLUTION During Stage II, LEAs work with an architectural and engineering team to propose solutions to the identified issues.

This process requires the development of schematic design documentation that can be used to provide dependable cost estimates. These scope descriptions and the accompanying costs are the basis for establishing a budget and project descriptions that are forwarded to the SBA Advisory Board and the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.

Necessity of School Construction Application Guidance RIDE School Construction Regulations (10/23/18) Project Budget Planning Worksheet New - The SBA has launched a new Necessity of School Construction application portal for the submission of Stage I and II applications. Binders/Paper copies are no longer required. The portal can be accessed at: https://portal.

ride. ri. gov Guidance for using the Necessity Portal Stage 3 - Design Review Guidance Design reviews must be conducted for all projects that are part of a multi-year capital improvement plan that exceeds $500,000, regardless of eligibility for housing aid.

Architectural, engineering, project management, construction management, financial, and other professional services shall be procured by the districts for all projects. Design reviews will be conducted through in-person meetings at each stage of the design process. Design review meetings will be scheduled by district representatives or their designees.

Necessity Of School Construction Stage III Guidance – Design Reviews Pre-Construction Certification Form Effective August 8, 2020, all design documents must be submitted through the Design Review Portal in order to be reviewed and approved. In an effort to better serve our LEAs by streamlining the design review of school construction projects, the School Building Authority has created a new online Design Review Portal .

LEAs and their vendors can submit Schematic Design, Design Development, and/or Construction Document for review after all required materials are uploaded into the portal. LEAs have the option to request a meeting with the School Building Authority through their submissions. Design documents must be submitted at least two weeks prior to anticipated review.

LEAs and their vendors should plan accordingly as all approved projects require design reviews to be eligible for State Aid, per the School Construction Regulations, Superintendents and business managers will be emailed login information this weekend. Users are able to create accounts for other users in the district and for their consultants.

If you have any questions or do not receive login information please contact the School Building Authority at DesignReviews@ride. ri. gov .

Enter the Design Review Portal Video on how to use the Design Review Portal Approved projects that have completed the Necessity of School Construction process are eligible for State aid through one of two mechanisms: Housing Aid reimbursement or SBA Capital Fund progress payments.

Stage 5 - Asset Protection & Maintenance Reporting Annual Maintenance Expenditure Reporting Beginning in FY 2019, LEAs' annual facility maintenance expenditures must meet one of the following three requirements: a percentage of operating budget, a percentage of replacement value, or a minimum of $3 per square foot of building space, adjusted for inflation.

Definitions, eligible expenses and frequently asked questions are available as part of the Ongoing Facility Maintenance Guidance . The SBA has provided a list of FY 2025 Facility Maintenance Expenditures Thresholds by LEA . This information was derived from LEA operating budget submissions through UCOA reporting and data from the Statewide Assessment.

Official reporting of maintenance expenditures occurs as part of the Housing Aid submission due each year on July 15th. LEAs are also required to submit detailed maintenance expenditure information as part of Asset Protection. To streamline the reporting process of this information, the School Building Authority (SBA) at RIDE has modified the existing Asset Protection Plan reporting system on eRIDE to include maintenance.

Submission of the Asset Protection Plan satisfies both the annual requirement to update Asset Protection Plans (RIGL 16-105-5), but also provides details to the Maintenance Expenditure Housing Aid form (RIGL 16-7-23). Districts are required to provide annual asset protection plans pursuant to the School Construction Regulations.

The collection of Asset Protection Plans occurs on ERIDE to improve accuracy and allow for greater ease in completing the forms. To access this website, Business Managers or other authorized users should log in to RIDE Data Portal . Once logged in to RIDE Data Portal, there will be an Asset Protection Plan icon located at the bottom of your screen.

Asset Protection Plans for FY 26 are due by June 30 2025 . Pursuant to RIGL 16-105-5(c) only LEAs that provide Asset Protection Plan information are eligible to apply for the School Building Authority Capital Fund. Asset Protection and Maintenance Reporting User Manual Language Access Program for Families and Students Translation and Interpretation Services for Districts and Schools RI.

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