70301002 - Kindergarten Expansion Grants

Account Description FY2009
Spending
FY2010
GAA
7030-1002 Kindergarten Expansion Grants
For kindergarten development grants to provide ongoing grant awards to continue quality enhancement of existing full-day kindergarten classrooms; provided, that the department shall administer a grant program to encourage the voluntary expansion of high quality, full-day kindergarten education throughout the commonwealth; provided further, that grants funded through this appropriation shall not annualize to more than $18,000 per classroom in subsequent fiscal years; provided further, that preference shall be given to grant applicants with high percentages of students scoring in levels 1 or 2 on the Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system exam, as determined by the department based on available data; provided further, that any grant funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without further appropriation, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary; provided further, that such program shall supplement and shall not supplant currently funded local, state and federal programs at the school or district; provided further, that not later than January 15, 2010, the department shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the total number of grants requested and awarded; provided further, that the report shall detail common factors associated with both successful and unsuccessful applications and shall include the total number of full-day and half-day kindergarten classrooms projected to be in operation in public schools in fiscal year 2011; provided further, that all kindergarten programs previously funded through community partnership councils at the department of early education and care shall receive grants from this item in amounts equal to the amounts they received in fiscal year 2009, reduced in proportion to the overall reduction of this item from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2010; and provided further, that no funds shall be expended for personnel costs
31,465,438 25,748,947

Veto Explanation:  I am reducing this item by an amount not recommended in light of available revenues.