Application for Academic and Social Support Sheff Marketing Grant

Connecticut State Department of Education
Charlene M. Russell-Tucker
Commissioner of Education
Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships/Regional School Choice Office
Application for Academic and Social Support Sheff Marketing Grant
(Sheff Region)
School Year 2026-27
Purpose: To support operator and school marketing, outreach initiatives, and compliance
with the Comprehensive School Choice Plan (CCP).
Application Due Date: October 30, 2026
Published: September 2026

Connecticut State Department of Education
Charlene M. Russell-Tucker
Commissioner of Education
Affirmative Action Policy Statement
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The Connecticut State Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action
for all qualified persons. The Connecticut Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment
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qualification excluding persons in any of the aforementioned protected classes. Inquiries regarding the Connecticut
State Department of Education's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Attorney Louis Todisco,
Connecticut State Department of Education, by mail 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06103-
1841; or by telephone 860-713-6594; or by email louis.todisco@ct.gov.
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Table of Contents Page
Sections
I. Background 4
II. Purpose 4
III. Eligibility 6
IV. Funding 6
V. Allowable Activities and Costs 7
VI. Grant Period 8
VII. Submission Requirements 8
VIII. Review of Proposals and Grant Awards 9
IX. Freedom of Information Act 9
X. Budget Revisions 9
XI. Management Control of the Program and Grant Consultation Role of 9
the CSDE Personnel
XII. Sheff Marketing Program Grant Timelines 10
Application Packet Page
Cover Page 11
Grant Application 12
Program Description and Narrative 13
Budget Form and Narrative Instructions 15
Budget Form: ED114 16
Budget Narrative: Program 17
Statement of Assurances 18
Appendix A - Eligible Interdistrict School Choice Operators 23
Appendix A-1 - Academic and Social Support Sheff Marketing Grant Status 24
Report

Section I. Background
In 1996, the Connecticut Supreme Court decided the Sheff v. O'Neill case and held that Hartford-
resident minority students are entitled to attend school in reduced isolation settings as a matter of
educational equity under the Connecticut State Constitution. Since 2003, the plaintiffs and the
state have entered into several sequential stipulated agreements from Phase I through Phase IV,
and the final agreement, signed by the Connecticut Superior Court on March 21, 2022, spelling
out certain goals for reducing racial and ethnic isolation in Hartford and the steps the state would
take to achieve such goals. The CCP Comprehensive-School-Choice-Plan-CCP.pdf (ct.gov),
signed by the state defendants, the plaintiffs, and the City of Hartford on January 26, 2022, and
the Connecticut Superior Court on March 21, 2022, as an Order of the Court, reflects the final
agreement of the parties and articulates a plan for meeting demand of Hartford-resident students
for a diverse educational environment through a sustainable system of integrated education.
Interdistrict magnet schools, the Open Choice Program, and the Hartford region technical high
schools within the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) have and
continue to provide the primary means for reducing isolation pursuant to the various agreements
among the parties and will play a consequential role in achieving the goals of the CCP.
The CCP articulates a complex and detailed strategic blueprint to increase opportunities for
integrated, high-quality educational opportunities for Hartford-resident students and students
throughout Connecticut through a series of 42 commitments. Among the commitments, the
state allocated grant funding for each fiscal year to support marketing and outreach efforts to
meet compliance goals pursuant to the CCP.
Section II. Purpose
The purpose of the Sheff Marketing Grant is to provide funding that supports the development,
implementation for marketing, and promoting Sheff interdistrict magnet schools, and the
Hartford Region CTECS schools. The Office of Strategic Planning and Partnerships has
determined that the award of the Academic and Social Support Marketing Grant to applicants
who submit qualifying applications will assist the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the
decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 231 Conn. 1 (1996) or any related stipulation or order in effect as
determined by the Commissioner of Education. See C.G.S. Section 10-262s (b). The grant
funded activities should increase awareness of school choice opportunities and generate
applications to meet the enrollment goals as mandated by the CCP.*
Marketing and outreach activities supported by this grant should align to the Regional School
Choice Office's (RSCO) Discover, Explore, and Apply cycles. During the Discover cycle,
schools demonstrate broad brand awareness. During the Explore cycle, schools are open and
available for families to learn more about their programs. During the Apply cycle schools should
continue appropriate Discover and Explore activities while using targeted strategies to convert
*Funds may also be directed to updating the indoor and outdoor spaces of school facilities that
impact the students' and families' experience.
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family interest into completed applications. The targeted Apply cycle - or late application period
- is a limited application phase and starts in mid-March to fill available seats. Limited schools
and grades are available for application during the targeted Apply period. Program operators
should focus on highlighting schools and programs that require additional applications to direct
applicants to opportunities that are still available.
Schools that are awarded this grant should focus on funded activities within each cycle.
Examples of funded activities for each cycle are:
Discover Cycle: Mid-July through Early October
During the Discover cycle, program operators should focus on building brand awareness of their
schools, programs, themes and educational opportunities. Activities may include:
* digital, social media, and print marketing;
* promotion of school logos, mascot, colors;
* features highlighting students, staff, families and school community;
* promotion of school theme, academic programs, and unique offerings; and
* outreach to prospective families and community based organizations.
Explore Cycle: Late October through Early December
During the Explore cycle, program operators should provide opportunities for prospective
families to learn more about their schools and program offerings. Activities may include:
* open houses and school tours;
* student shadow days;
* student performances and showcases;
* theme-based activities and demonstrations;
* information sessions for prospective families; and
* other interactive experiences that introduce families to the school community.
Program operators should encourage families to rank a school as their first choice to increase
their likelihood of receiving an offer.
Apply Cycle: Early December through Mid-February
During this cycle, program operators should continue appropriate Discover and Explore
activities while using targeted strategies to convert family interest into completed applications.
Activities may include:
* Promoting application deadlines and available programs;
* Hosting application assistance events;
* Providing staff, technology, and other resources to help families complete applications;
* Following up with families who have expressed interest; and
* Continuing open houses, tours, and other school-based events.
General brand awareness should continue late in the Apply cycle along with efforts to promote
students' acceptances.
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Section III. Eligibility
Section IV.B.6.d of the CCP requires the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to
distribute marketing funding in the amounts set forth in Section IV of this Application to
interdistrict magnet operators in the Sheff Region, the Capitol Region Education Council
(CREC) as the administrator of the Open Choice Program, and the Hartford Region CTECS
schools, including A.I. Prince Technical High School (Prince), Howell Cheney Technical High
School (Cheney) and E.C. Goodwin Technical High School (Goodwin).1 The CCP provides
additional funds beyond those set forth in the specific commitments in reasonable amounts for
marketing support for additional operational partners and schools that develop through
implementation of the CCP over time. A list of eligible entities is included as Appendix A.
C.G.S. Section 10-262s(b) authorizes the Commissioner of Education to issue grants with funds
appropriated for the Sheff settlement account for academic and social student support programs
for the following voluntary interdistrict programs to assist the state in meeting its obligations
pursuant to the decision in Sheff, or any related stipulation or order in effect: (1) interdistrict
cooperative programs pursuant to Section 10-74d; (2) the interdistrict public school attendance
program pursuant to Section 10-266aa; (3) interdistrict magnet school programs pursuant to
Section 10-264l; and (4) the Technical Education and Career System.
Eligible operators must submit a complete grant application by the application due date on or
before 4:00 p.m., on October 30, 2026, to remain eligible for funding pursuant to this grant
opportunity.
Section IV. Funding
Total funds available for this grant are up to $125,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2027 pursuant to the
CCP and C.G.S. Section10-262s(b) to support the Academic and Social Support Sheff Marketing
Grant and fund marketing and outreach efforts that assist the state in meeting its obligations
pursuant to the decision in Sheff. This funding is in addition to, not in place of, the interdistrict
magnet school operating grant provided pursuant to C.G.S. Section 10-264l, and the attendance
grant provided pursuant to C.G.S. Section 10-266aa(g), and other funding provided by CSDE
and through other sources. Upon CSDE's approval of the required grant application, grants are
awarded on an entitlement basis.
1 Marketing funding required by the CCP for Hartford Public Schools (HPS), and CREC, as administrator
of the Open Choice program and operator of interdistrict magnet schools, is provided through contracts
between the Connecticut State Board of Education (CSBE) and the two entities. See footnote 2.
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The CSDE will distribute funding through the eGrants Management System (eGMS) for this
grant as follows for FY27:
Grant Award
Sheff Choice Programs
Amount
Sheff Interdistrict Magnet Schools 2
Goodwin University Educational Services $55,000
Bloomfield Public Schools $10,000
East Hartford Public Schools $10,000
Sheff CTECS Schools
Prince, Cheney & Goodwin Technical High Schools $50,000
Total Funds Available $125,000
Grants are not final until the execution of award letters and are subject to the availability of
funding. The level of funding and reporting requirements will be set forth in the notification of
the grant award.
Section V. Allowable Activities and Costs
Schools will have the flexibility to determine the best use of the funds for marketing and
outreach, reducing attrition, and promoting acceptances among families to choice programs if
proposed expenditures align with the overall application framework described in Section II and
the RSCO marketing campaign for the RSCO School Choice System. Applicants for the grant
are encouraged to focus grant support on promoting marketing strategies and recruitment
activities that are aligned with the district's and school's plan for the Explore cycle. Applications
should include planning for social media advertisements that target audiences required for the
school's applicant pool based on historical data and highlights school-based events that will
occur during the Explore cycle. During the Explore cycle, schools are open and inviting for
potential families to attend events, tour the building, or personally access school information to
learn more about the magnet programs. Recruitment and retention efforts should include strong
school messaging and opportunities for relationship building. Activities for this grant should also
showcase the educational and social experience of students and the attractiveness of specific
choice options, to advance the State's efforts to reduce racial, ethnic, and economic isolation in
the Sheff Region.
Allowable costs for this grant include expenditures which support the purpose, are expendable in
FY27, align with the RSCO marketing campaign for the RSCO School Choice System, and are
authorized via the application process based on the applicant's proposed budget submission.
Activities that may be funded through this grant include, but are not limited to:
2 As noted, CREC and HPS are not included among the eligible magnet operators for this grant because
marketing funding required by the CCP is included in contracts between CREC and the CSBE and HPS and
the CSBE for support services for the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO). Likewise, CREC is not
included as an Open Choice operator for this grant because marketing funding required by the CCP for
Open Choice programs is included in contracts between CREC and the CSBE.
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* advertising promotions;
* branding;
* community events;
* curricular enhancing equipment up to $5,000;
* design and development services;
* digital promotions;
* event expenses;
* incentives for acceptances and enrollment that include school swag items or school
uniforms;
* open house and shadowing events;
* parent nights for current and potential parents;
* printing and postage;
* promotional merchandise;
* referral and reward programs;
* school improvements to facilities to increase school appeal (main area internal
refresh, outdoor landscaping, etc.);
* special events;
* student celebrations;
* theme-based experiences; and
* web design and development.
Indirect costs or teacher/staff salaries are not allowable for this grant.
As set forth above, allowable costs must be directly related to the purpose of this grant and the
school's marketing, recruitment, and outreach activities, and align with the RSCO marketing
campaign for the RSCO School Choice System.
Section VI. Grant Period
The CSDE will award this grant for FY27 and anticipates that the grant period will begin upon
award and conclude June 30, 2027. Funding must be utilized or encumbered by June 12, 2027.
The final status report for the 2026-27 grant must be submitted by August 6, 2027.
Section VII. Submission Requirements
Grant applications should respond fully and accurately to the application requirements and must
include, at a minimum: (1) the needs that will be addressed with the funding; (2) a description of
the marketing efforts and proposed timeline for implementation; (3) a description of recruitment
activities; and (4) a proposed general budget for marketing programming.
A completed application packet must be e-mailed to Kelly Mero at kelly.mero@ct.gov no later
than 4:00 p.m., on October 30, 2026. To be eligible for consideration, the application packet
must include:
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* budget;
* budget narrative, including the information as set forth in this Section;
* cover page;
* description of the plan to fund and facilitate marketing and outreach, reduce attrition, and
promote acceptances among families to choice programs;
* program narrative, including the information set forth in this Section; and
* standard Statement of Assurances.
The final status report for the FY27 grant must be submitted by August 6, 2027.
Section VIII. Review of Proposals and Grant Awards
Funds will be awarded to eligible Sheff school operators subject to availability of such funds, in
amounts determined as described in Section IV, provided the applicant's proposal meets the
criteria described in this grant application. The CSDE reserves the right to request additional
information from applicants prior to making the award, including information about program
planning, budgeting, student interest, and program development. The CSDE reserves the right to
award or reject a proposal, in its entirety or in part, if, in its judgment, the best interest of the
State would be served.
Section IX. Freedom of Information Act
All the information contained in any proposal submitted in response to this Application is
subject to the provisions of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), C.G.S.
Sections 1-200 et seq. The FOIA states that, except as provided by Federal or State law,
records maintained by any public agency (as defined in FOIA) are public records, and every
person has the right to inspect and request a copy of such records.
Section X. Budget Revisions
Any budget revision will require resubmittal of the grant application to Kelly Mero, the
program manager. All revisions should be noted in a font color other than black, and the
revision should be dated in a comment in the right margin. Upon review and approval of the
budget revision in the updated grant application by the program manager, the grantee will be
asked to make the budget revision in eGMS. The budget revision in the updated grant
application and the budget revision in eGMS must match. Please note that all budget revisions
should be completed and approved on or before April 13, 2027.
Section XI. Management Control of the Program and Grant Consultation Role
of the CSDE Personnel
Recipients of awards pursuant to this Academic and Social Support Sheff Marketing Grant
maintain management control of the grant. While CSDE staff may be consulted for their
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expertise, they will not be directly responsible for the selection of subgrantees or vendors, nor
will they be directly involved in the expenditure and payment of the funds.
Section XII. Sheff Marketing Grant Timelines
The CSDE established timelines for this grant as follows for FY27:
Grant Activity Grant Timeline
Applications Due Friday, October 30, 2026
Budget Revision Deadline Monday, April 13, 2027
Final Funds Request Friday, June 12, 2027
Grant Period Closed - All Grant Expenditures Must be Tuesday, June 30, 2027
Liquidated
Final Status Report Due Friday, August 6, 2027
Please submit any questions about this grant opportunity to: kelly.mero@ct.gov.
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