The Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant (NPSE) is a great example of successful advocacy. Teach NYS and our coalition partners have pressed lawmakers on the need to get more security dollars to schools to address real safety concerns that have grown exponentially over the last several years. Through this successful advocacy, the program has increased from $45m to $70m (for two years) and ultimately to last year’s $90m allocation.
Despite the advocacy wins, the delayed arrival of these dollars into school bank accounts has dampened the enthusiasm of schools for this program and resulted in weak application volume from schools. Understanding school disappointment and focusing on the administrative issues causing delays has been a shared goal of the NYS Education Department Office of Nonpublic Support (ORISS), Teach NYS, and our partners for the last few years.
What has resulted from these efforts is a remarkable opportunity that Teach NYS has been promoting for the last few months. With a 3-year combined NPSE allocation of $185m along with a much-improved online application system, there is huge optimism about schools finally receiving much-needed and timely reimbursements for funds laid out for security costs, building repairs, and more.
Our Government Maximization department has kicked into high gear, seizing this unique opportunity and engaging with over 60 schools to assist with their reimbursement applications. Working closely with ORISS and these schools, our highly specialized team is transforming this program into one that is befitting all the efforts that were expended in advocating for these dollars.
Some of the schools that we are working with have already received reimbursement for their applications. They are part of a group who received the first $2.5m that ORISS paid out for eligible expenses. The earlier a school submits their application, the better chance they have of a quick turnaround and reimbursement.
Application quality or the lack thereof has been a sticky issue in the past for this program, and schools should pay attention to the substantial guidance that ORISS has created. In addition, the new submission portal is set up to ensure that applications comply with State audit requirements. The process is robust, but again, very worth the time and energy.
While our direct assistance program is currently at full capacity, we can accept schools for our waiting list. We are also happy to provide guidance for schools to tackle the NPSE application on their own. For more information, please reach out to rybsteinr@teachcoalition.org.