ISBE Review Procedures for Construction or Remodeling of a Facility

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan

Procedures outline how U.S. IDEA Part B funds may be used for facility construction or remodeling when the program is improved by such use. States require prior Department approval, while LEAs must obtain ISBE prior approval for capital expenditures increasing value or useful life. Applicants submit the ISBE application, and approval depends on project cost thresholds, committee review for larger projects, documentation of need, scope alignment, appropriateness for special education, and consistency with Least Restrictive Environment principles. Final decisions and conditions are formally recorded in ISBE systems.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Approval Process

Applications for $100,000 or Less

Applications for More Than $100,000

Review Committee

Guiding Review Questions

Committee Recommendations

Notice

ISBE Review Procedures for Construction or Remodeling of a Facility Background Section 605 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes the U.S. secretary of education to allow the use of IDEA funds for construction or remodeling of facilities if the secretary determines the program would be improved by allowing funds to be used for such purposes [20 U.S.C.A. §1404] . States must obtain prior approval from the U.S. Department of Education to use IDEA funds for facility construction or remodeling; and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must obtain prior approval from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) . LEAs must obtain prior approval from ISBE for all capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment that materially increase their value or useful life. All grant applicants seeking use of IDEA funds for construction must complete the ISBE Application for Use of IDEA Part B Funds for Construction or Alteration of Facilities. If an IDEA grant application contains a construction project for which ISBE has not received a construction application, an ISBE grant coordinator will inform the LEA of the construction approval process and the fact that an IDEA grant application cannot be approved until the construction application is also approved. Applications for $100,000 or less A construction application for a project costing less than $100,000 is approved via the IDEA grant application review process. Grant applicants must receive prior approval from the Special Education Department prior to obligating any funds for this purpose. LEAs must receive project approval from ISBE prior to beginning construction or remodeling. Applications for more than $100,000 Construction applications that include a project costing more than $100,000 will be reviewed by the ISBE Construction Review Committee in accordance with the approval process. Approval Process Construction applications that are received are date-stamped and analyzed to determine completeness. The form is logged into a database so that progress on approval can be tracked. If the application is not complete, ISBE will request that the LEA contact provide a revised application with all required information. The application is scanned and stored electronically, so that committee members may access it. The original is filed with the LEA’s IDEA grant application. Members of the Construction Review Committee are notified via email when a construction application is received, and a copy is available online to them. At the behest of the state superintendent of education, the Construction Review Committee reviews applications and approves or disapproves as appropriate. The review committee meets as needed to review the construction applications. Review Committee Members of the Construction Review Committee are: o Dr. Sherry Bochenek, Supervisor, Special Education Department o Kristy Deckard, Principal Consultant o Raúl Lemus, Principal Consultant o Katanja Cowsen, Principal Consultant o Elroy Reed, Principal Consultant Guiding Review Questions 􀂾 Is the cost of the project an excess cost of providing special education and related services? 􀂾 Would the LEA’s program be improved by the project? • Is there a documented need for the project? • Is the scope of the project consistent with documented needs? • Is the project appropriate to meet the needs of the LEA’s special education population? • Will the project and its location be consistent with the principles underlying placement in the Least Restrictive Environment? 􀂾 Has the LEA provided the required assurances? 34 CFR Section 300.114-117 Least Restrictive Environment 34 CFR Section 300.202 Excess Cost 34 CFR Section 300.718 Accessibility Standards for Facilities EDGAR 34 CFR 75.600-75.617 Use of a Grant for Construction EDGAR 34 CFR 76.600 Where to Find Construction Regulations EDGAR 34 CFR 80.31 2 CFR Part 200 23 Ill. Admin

FAQs

Who authorizes the use of IDEA funds for facility construction or remodeling?

The U.S. secretary of education may authorize IDEA funds for construction or remodeling when the secretary determines the program would be improved by allowing funds for such purposes.

What approvals are required for LEAs before starting facility construction or remodeling?

LEAs must obtain prior approval from ISBE for capital expenditures that materially increase value or useful life, and must receive ISBE project approval before beginning construction or remodeling.

How do review requirements differ for construction projects costing $100,000 or less vs. more than $100,000?

Projects under $100,000 are approved via the IDEA grant application review process, with prior approval needed from the Special Education Department before obligating funds. Projects above $100,000 are reviewed by the ISBE Construction Review Committee according to the approval process.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan