Educational Technology Notes

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Proceeds from five-year Educational Technology Notes issued by the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) are distributed to school divisions and regional programs to improve the instructional, remedial, and testing capabilities of the SOL in local school divisions and to increase the number of schools achieving full accreditation. Proceeds of the notes are provided to:

Establish a computer-based instructional and testing system for the SOL;
Develop the capability for high speed Internet connectivity at high schools followed by middle schools and then in elementary schools; and
Establish a 5-to-1 student computer ratio for high schools followed by middle schools and then in elementary schools.

Grant Allocations

Series XXIV (Spring 2024 Issuance) grants to school divisions are based on $26,000 per eligible school and $50,000 per school division. Eligible schools include those reporting fall membership as of September 30, 2023, as well as regional vocational, special education, and alternative education centers, academic year Governor’s Schools, and the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. Schools that serve only pre-kindergarten students are not eligible for this grant.

The Virginia e-Learning Backpack Initiative Grants began with the Series XIV issuance and the program continues with the issuance of the Series XXII notes. The Series XXII grants are provided for schools that include a ninth grade that administered SOL tests in Spring, 2020, and were not fully accredited for the second consecutive year, based on school accreditation ratings in effect for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. Those qualifying schools receive: (1) a supplemental grant of $400 per student reported in ninth grade fall membership in a qualifying school for the purchase of a tablet or laptop computer device for that student and (2) a supplemental grant of $2,400 per qualifying school to purchase two content creation packages for teachers. For more information, see Superintendent’s Memo 107-22 (PDF). Virginia e-Learning Backpack Initiative Grants were not issued with the Series XXIV notes.

Using the Virginia Public School Authority Reimbursement Program (VPSARP)

Payments to school divisions and regional centers are on a reimbursement basis only. School divisions and regional centers must first complete payments for the qualifying equipment purchased and then file a reimbursement request with VDOE, using the VPSARP application within Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS). Applications will only be reviewed upon approval by the division superintendent or designee within the VPSARP application. VDOE will no longer accept paper copies of reimbursement forms.

School divisions and regional programs may not be reimbursed for qualifying expenditures incurred more than 60 days prior to the adoption of a reimbursement resolution. School divisions and regional programs that adopted a reimbursement resolution and made expenditures prior to the issuance of the Series XXIV notes are required to certify that all reimbursements are qualifying reimbursements. A sample reimbursement resolution document is provided below for optional use in meeting this requirement.

Sample Reimbursement Resolution (DOC)

Virginia State Non-Arbitrage Program (SNAP)

SNAP serves as the investment and account manager for the note proceeds. Prior to SNAP executing the actual payment of proceeds to school divisions or regional programs, school divisions and regional programs must have completed the SNAP VPSA Technology Notes Withdrawal Instructions form to provide their bank routing number and account number directly to SNAP. If you need to make changes to wire instructions previously submitted to SNAP, please complete and sign the form and return it to SNAP prior to requesting any further reimbursements. The completed form should be faxed to SNAP representatives at 1-800-252-9551. If you have not completed this form, VDOE will hold all requests for reimbursements until SNAP confirms receipt of your certified bank account information. SNAP will maintain all bank information and, if needed, will assist divisions who need to amend such information. If you have any questions regarding the SNAP VPSA Technology Notes Withdrawal Instructions form, please contact SNAP at 1-800-570-SNAP.

Also see: Technology in Education: SOL Technology Initiative.

Also see: School Security Equipment Grants.