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Frequently Asked Questions Concerning RESCUE Aid

November 8, 1999
  1. Must my district have completed the building condition survey, five-year capital plan and safety rating system enacted in 1998/99 in order for projects to be eligible for RESCUE funding?
  1. No, however the Comprehensive Public School Safety Program was adopted by the Regents and must be adhered to by school districts.

The building condition survey is not due until November 15, 2000 and the five-year capital plan is due July 1, 2001.

 
  1. How will the Accounting work for the RESCUE funds?

A. According to the N.Y.S. Comptroller’s Office this aid may be accounted for in the capital fund using revenue account code H3297, Capital Fund Revenues from State Sources,". Expenditures may be charged to: H1620.293, "General Construction."

 
  1. When will RESCUE aid be paid (payment schedule)?
  1. At the current time, RESCUE is scheduled to be paid during the month of March for the 1999-00 school year.

 

  1. How will the application process work?
  1. Facilities Planning is currently reviewing their application process to incorporate the information needed for the RESCUE funds. If a district wishes to apply the RESCUE funds to a project that the district has already submitted for approval they need to submit a letter to facilities indicating the use of RESCUE funds and the purpose for which these funds will be used.

 

  1. Are districts going to be capped at the projected 2000-01 levels based on form 405 estimates?
  1. Currently, there is nothing in the legislation that mandates the RESCUE aid be capped at the projected levels. The projected level, however, reflects the current appropriation as enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor. Any change in funds available to school districts would have to be accompanied by additional appropriation authority.
  1. For new projects where borrowing has not taken place, can districts receive RESCUE funds before issuance of Bonds? (This will affect the amount of Borrowing required.)
  1. Due to the fact that RESCUE aid is based on approved project costs, the aid cannot be paid until contracts are signed and Form SA 139 has been submitted to the State Aid Unit of SED. A district can project the amount of RESCUE monies for a specific project and loan the monies from the general fund until the RESCUE aid is received.

 

If there are other questions that are not covered above, please contact John O’Donnell in the State Aid Unit at 518-474-2977.