The Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) is getting nearly $5 million from the U.S. Department of Education.

The funds come from one of eight grants being disbursed under the federal government’s Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program.

The goal is to help districts in various states to improve their school facilities.  

ADOA received endorsements from the Legislature, Governor’s Office, school districts and statewide education organizations to get the grant.

A department spokesperson said the money will help modernize Arizona’s Building Inventory Database so the state can more quickly address preventative-maintenance issues and new-school construction.

The primary activities of the project include:

• Providing technical assistance, training, and support for Arizona’s top 50 high-need public school district cohort (approximately 25% of traditional school districts) based on a needs assessment.
• Establishing a Tribal liaison position to provide targeted engagement with school districts on or adjacent to Tribal Nations.
• Enhancing and developing live and on-demand, online resources for training and supporting school district administrators with preventive maintenance and facility improvements.
• Improving state data and information systems related to public school infrastructure, including:
• Modernizing Arizona’s Building Inventory Database
• Developing and implementing a Facilities Conditions Index (FCI) for maintaining standardized information on building system components and useful life, with the goal of more efficiently maximizing dollars across the state for building renewal.
• Completing a School Facilities Cost Study to better understand the real costs of building and maintaining modern facilities that will enhance learning and health, ensure safety, and help save funding over time.