1. CONFIRM SUBMISSION OF THE VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE MENTOR DISTRICT GRANT PROPOSAL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.

2. UPON NOTIFICATION OF THE AWARD, APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE GRANT FUNDS AND THEIR BUDGETING IN THE APPROPRIATE PART I, GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET RESOLUTION, APPROVE THEIR EXPENDITURE AS OUTLINED IN THE PROPOSAL, AND APPROVE ANY AMENDMENTS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROJECT FULLY.

The purpose of this grant initiative is to assist the Florida Department of Education in promoting public school choice by expanding and replicating quality programs throughout Florida. This proposal requests funding for DCPS to serve as a mentor district to Orange County Public Schools as they develop and implement their School Choice program.

This is the fourth consecutive year in which DCPS has been eligible to receive these discretionary non-competitive funds to serve as one of thirteen mentor districts in the state. Funds for 2004-05 were spent to support additional promotional materials for all of the School Choice initiatives; for a grass roots awareness campaign for the 7 new Inspirations schools; for specialty items to market each of the 55 magnet schools; and for travel to relevant conferences and collaborative work with the Orange County mentee district.

Funds for 2005-06 will be allocated to the development of an on-line magnet application program ($120,000 per year for two years); salary for a part-time consultant to serve as project manager; bus services for students to Inspirations Schools, and travel to Choice conferences and to provide mentor services to Orange County.