TITLE 23 - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES - SUBTITLE A - EDUCATION - CHAPTER I - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION - SUBCHAPTER P - GRANTS - PART 705 - SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION FEASIBILITY STUDY GRANT PROGRAM

Oct 10, 2026

Defines and governs the School District Reorganization Feasibility Study Grant Program under Title 23 (Education and Cultural Resources), including key terms, the program’s purpose, eligible applicants, application procedures, and funding allocation framework. Specifies requirements for principal districts and joint applications, including negotiation of third-party consultant agreements, board resolutions, required certifications, and submission/review timelines. Establishes criteria for review, priority ranking, consultant eligibility, agreement conditions, and final reporting to the State Board.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

705.5 Definitions

705.10 Purpose and Applicability

705.15 Eligible Applicants

705.20 Application Procedure

705.25 Allocation of Funds

705.30 Program Specifications

705.35 Criteria and Review of Applications

705.40 Priority Ranking

705.45 Criteria for Third-Party Consultants

705.50 Agreement Criteria

705.55 Final Reports

TITLE 23: EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES SUBTITLE A: EDUCATION CHAPTER I: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SUBCHAPTER p: GRANTS PART 705 SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION FEASIBILITY STUDY GRANT PROGRAM Section 705.5 Definitions 705.10 Purpose and Applicability 705.15 Eligible Applicants 705.20 Application Procedure 705.25 Allocation of Funds 705.30 Program Specifications 705.35 Criteria and Review of Applications 705.40 Priority Ranking 705.45 Criteria for Third-Party Consultants 705.50 Agreement Criteria 705.55 Final Reports AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Section 2-3.206 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5] . SOURCE: Adopted at 50 Ill. Reg. 11436, effective July 21, 2026. Section 705.5 Definitions "Feasibility Study" or "Study" means an unbiased assessment of two or more school districts conducted to assess the feasibility of reorganization containing the information required by this Part. "ISC" means an intermediate service center. "Program" means the School District Reorganization Feasibility Study Grant Program created by this Part. "Principal District" means a school district participating in the feasibility study that will serve as the responsible party for receiving and administering grant funds and completing required submissions and reporting under the Program. "ROE" means a regional office of education. "School Code" means 105 ILCS 5. "State Board" means the State Board of Education. "State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Education or adesignee. "Third-Party Consultant" means an individual or firm eligible to perform a feasibility study according to criteria established under Section 705.45. Section 705.10 Purpose and Applicability This Part implements the Section 2-3.206 of School Code, which authorizes the State Board to award grants to school districts for the purpose of incentivizing those districts to conduct reorganization feasibility studies. Section 705.15 Eligible Applicants Entities eligible to apply for a grant under the Program are school districts organized under Articles 10 and 34 of the School Code. A joint application of two or more school districts may be submitted for a grant under this Part to cover all or part of the costs borne by the school districts to conduct a reorganization feasibility study. Each application must name a principal district responsible for receiving and administering grant funds, completing required submissions, and reporting to the State Board as required by Section 705.55. To be eligible for a grant under the Program, the board of the principal district shall: a) negotiate a proposed agreement to secure the services of a third-party consultant who will conduct the reorganization feasibility study; b) adopt a resolution that is signed by the board president of the district and calls for the initiation of a school district reorganization feasibility study in accordance with the terms of the proposed agreement and this Part; and c) submit the completed agreement form, the signed board resolution under subsection (b), a resolution that is signed by the board president of each district applying for the grant, the application cover page, and any required certificationsand assurances to the regional office of education or the executive director of the intermediate service center for the district for approval (Section 2-3.206(b) of the Code) . Section 705.20 Application Procedure a) Subject to appropriation of funds for the Program, the State Board may award grants to districts for which it receives an approved agreement under Section 2- 3.206(c) of the Code. 1) The principal district shall submit the completed application to the ROE orthe executive director of the ISC, as applicable, no later than December 1 of the fiscal year for which the grant is sought. If the reorganization study involves more than one region, the documents must be submitted to the ROE or executive director having ju

FAQs

What does “Feasibility Study” mean under Part 705?

It means an unbiased assessment of two or more school districts to assess the feasibility of reorganization, using the information required by the Part.

Which entities are eligible to apply for a grant?

School districts organized under Articles 10 and 34 of the School Code may apply. Joint applications may be submitted by two or more districts, naming a principal district to receive and administer funds and handle required reporting.

How does the application submission and review process work?

The principal district must submit a completed application by December 1 to the ROE or the executive director of the ISC as applicable. The ROE/ISC reviews and approves or disapproves within five business days under the Part’s criteria, and approved applications are forwarded electronically to the State Superintendent by December 15.

Oct 10, 2026

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