Frequently asked questions

1.     What is School Building Aid?

        School Building Aid is a program authorized by RSA 198:15-a, through which the

        State of New Hampshire provides financial assistance to local school districts for the

        construction or substantial renovation of educational facilities for grades K-12.

2.     How do I get Started?

        Contact the Office of School Building Aid, (603)271-2037.   Review the Manual for 

        Planning and Construction of School Buildings available at

        www.ed.state.nh.us/buildingaid

3.     Who Should Apply?

        Public school districts that have proposed a capital construction project to their

        legislative bodies should initiate an application for School Building Aid.

4.     Who do I talk to about:

       1-12 Schools - Ed Murdough, 271-2037

            Or Marjorie Schoonmaker, 271-3620

        Kindergarten Grant - Helen Schotanus, 271-3841

        Tech Centers - Ed Taylor, 271-3886

5.     What forms do I need?

        The initial application is Form A24P.  The form A24P and other required forms may

        be found at www.ed.state.nh.us/buildingaid

6.     What is Eligible?

        Eligible costs are identified in RSA 198:15-b IV.  They include the cost of land,

        planning and design, site development, construction, legal and administrative fees,

        furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

7.     Is the cost of land Eligible?

        The cost of land purchased for school construction is eligible for School Building Aid

        once a project has been approved on that site.  The cost of land purchased in the

        past, but upon which no construction has occurred, may be included in the

        application for a new project.

8.     What is not Eligible?

        Finance charges and interest are not eligible for School Building Aid.  Project funds

        that originate as gifts, donations, insurance claims, bequests, or money from

        charitable trusts are not eligible.  Work that is classified as maintenance or which

        does not meet the criteria of "substantial renovations" is not eligible.

9.     Is there a deadline for submitting an application?

        Projects must be approved by the department prior to the start of construction to be

        eligible for School Building Aid.  Additionally, applications must be received by

        December 31st each year.

9a.   What is the time of computation of Grant?

        As of January 1 in each year, the department of ducation shall cause to be computed

        the amount of the annual grants for school building aid to be paid to eligible school

        districts in the succeeding fiscal year.  the computation shall be based upon the total

        of eligible costs of construction of school buildings approved by teh legislative body of

        the school district ad the department of educaiton for which loans are out-standing in

        each school district for the fiscal year in which the computations are made.

        (RSA 198:15-d)

10.   Who is responsible for submitting documentation?

        Architects, banks and others involved in school construction projects often submit

        documentation directly to the Office of School Building Aid but it is ultimately the

        responsibility of the SAU to see that complete and accurate documentation is

        provided.

11.   Are SAU offices eligible for School Building Aid?

        School Building Aid may be paid at the rate of 40% to school districts that own a

        building which houses an SAU office.   SAU's may not own buildings themselves or

        receive School Building Aid.   School Building Aid may not be paid for SAU offices in

        commercial leased space or in town owned buildings.

12.   Are leases eligible for School Building Aid?

        Leases of real property to house regional career and technical centers are eligible for

        school building aid.   Projects intended to improve energy efficiency or indoor air

        quality that are financed by lease purchase agreements are eligible for school

        building aid.   No other lease agreements are eligible.

13.   Are renovations and repairs eligible for School Building Aid?

        Substantial renovations which meet the requirements of ED 321.27 in the NH Code

        of Administrative Rules are eligible for School Building Aid.

14.   Does the School Building Aid rate change from year to year?

        The rates for districts under the alternate formula may change from one year to the

        next.   Once a project is approved, that project will receive the rate in effect at the

        time the bond was sold for the duration of the bond payment schedule.

15.   How do I know the amount of School Building Aid that my district will

        receive each year?

        The Office of School Building Aid publishes an annual list of the estimated total

        amount for each district in September of the previous fiscal year.  An annual

        verification statement, known as the Building Project Status Report, is sent to each

        district for verification prior to April 1st of the preceding fiscal year. 

        It is essential that districts verify the accuracy of these reports and submit

        corrections as necessary.  The Office of School Building AId maintains an internal

        document known as the Control Card to record scheduled payments for each

        project.  A 20 year projection report is also maintained and used for input to the

        state budget process.

16.   What kind of funding is available?

        Each public school district is entitled to a percentage rate of reimbursement

        between 30% and 60% based on one of two formulas in the RSA.  The list of rates is

        available at www.ed.state.nh.us/buidlingaid

17.    Is any Federal money available?

        There are no recurring federal grant programs for school facilities.   Occasionally

        special grants are made available for specific purposes.   The Qualified Zone

        Academy Bond is a federal program which provides bonds at no interest to qualified

        school districts for renovations and repairs to school buildings.

18.   How much money should be kept in contingency?

        The department recommends that the contingency budget be at least 5% for new

        construction projects and 10% for renovation projects.  An inadequate amount in

        contingency may result in a need to reduce the scope of work if unforeseen

        conditions arise.  Authority to expend contingency funds should be closely

        controlled by the owner.

19.   Do we need a Clerk of the Works?

        All major construction projects should be overseen by a representative for the owner

        who has no direct financial investment in the project outcome.   The clerk of the

        works should be onsite on a daily basis to ensure that work is done in accordance

        with the contract and in the best interest of the owner.   Architects and construction

        managers are responsible for contractor performance, but they also have their own

        interests to protect are consequently are not able to be completely unbiased.

20.    Do we need a building committee?

        School departments in cities, except for Concord , Claremont , Keene , and

        Lebanon, are required by RSA 199:3 to form a Joint Building Committee consisting

        of members appointed in equal numbers by the school board and city council or

        board of aldermen.  Although not required in other districts, building committees are

        recommended as a good forum to analyze the facility needs of the district and

        alternative methods to address those needs.

21.   Are there state standards which specify the size of school buildings or

        other aspects of school construction?

        The standards for school construction in New Hampshire are found in Part Ed 321 of

        the NH Code of Administrative Rules.  RSA 198:15-b VII specifies maximum sizes

        for school buildings for the calculation of School Building Aid.  The department  

        annually publishes a maximum allowable cost for the calculation of School Building

        Aid.  Districts may build schools which exceed the size limits or maximum

        allowable cost; however School Building Aid will be restricted to the size limits and

        maximum allowable cost.

22.    What should I do about problems in an existing school building?

        Building problems should first be brought to the attention of the school principal.

        Unresolved issues should be referred to the superintendent of schools at the local

        SAU office.   The local fire chief, building inspector, and health officer have

        jurisdiction over buildings issues within their respective technical areas.

22.     What is required in my school's maintenance plan?

        RSA 198:15-b requires that a written maintenance plan be submitted as part of an

        application for School Building Aid.   The plan must include: procedures and staffing

        for cleaning, grounds, refuse removal, snow removal, minor repairs, pest

        management and equipment servicing.   It must also identify the amount of space for

        cleaning assigned to a custodian.   The schools work order process must also be

        described.   A sample plan is available at www.ed.state.nh.us/buildingaid .