The purpose of the Special Grants Committee is to provide a personal educational experience for EGTA members which will enrich and enhance the classroom teacher’s expertise in his/her discipline. The Committee fulfills this purpose through administration of Article VI.B., Special Grants, of the Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools of the East Greenbush Central School District and the East Greenbush Teachers Association.
Annual Objectives/Priority Areas
The Special Grant Committee’s annual objectives and priority areas are as follows:
- Review collective bargaining agreement Article VI.B, Special Grants to ensure compliance with the following criteria:
- Programs must be pertinent to the teacher’s assignment, or the area(s) of specialty in the teacher’s discipline
- Grants are not to be used to fund any proposal to which has as its primary purpose the writing of a new curriculum or revising of existing curriculum
- Graduate study funded under this program must be for credits to be earned beyond permanent/professional certification
- Individuals awarded extended professional leave are ineligible for special grants
- Serve as a conduit for communication on special grants questions from members of the Board and district staff
- Timely communicate special grant opportunities, program requirements, application process and deadlines to all district teaching staff
- Review and evaluate submitted applications
- Obtain additional information from applicants as necessary
- Conduct interviews of applicants, as applicable
- Rank applications for potential award, ensuring fair and equitable distribution
- Provide written recommendation to the Superintendent and Board no later than May 1st for award of special grants
- Notify grant recipients and publish list of special grants awards to staff, including any unused or uncommitted funds
- Reimburse awardees for special grant activities upon proper submission of expenses, claim form and grant recipient report
- Review unused or uncommitted funds by June 1st for consideration of redistribution by the Committee and recommendation to Superintendent and Board of Education
- Review special grants process with Committee in the event that changes in the collective bargaining agreement should be recommended to the Superintendent and negotiated with the East Greenbush Teachers Association
- Share special grants review process with individuals from other school districts as requested