Administrative costs can be covered by the RAG on a case-by-case basis. ISD/ESA personnel can be supported with RAG funds if the individual is performing RAG services/work; however, that position must clearly show this work on a position description and complete time & effort documentation (Personnel Activity Report (PARS) or semi-annual certifications as appropriate).
No. Non-identified schools are not eligible for any RAG-funded supports. Only schools identified for CSI, ATS, or TSI may be supported with RAG funds.
Assets, equipment, and durable goods purchased with RAG funds are the property of the identified school. If the equipment is no longer needed or if the building closes, then the purchases are moved to another CSI, ATS, or TSI-identified school in the same district. If not needed at that identified school, the equipment can go to another Title I recipient school in the same district. If not needed there, the assets go through the disposal process. For all assets, it is crucial to document where they are being used.
Districts can indicate on the District Signature Page that they are declining services. The ISD/ESA will submit the dated and signed signature page into the RAG application in NexSys, documenting the declining district’s request.
All RAG-funded ISD/ESA positions must have a position description and maintain time & effort documentation by using Personnel Activity Reports (PARs) or semi-annual certifications.
CSI- and ATS-identified schools determine the amount of the RAG award. The data-based needs of the CSI- and ATS-identified schools and their districts must be met first. The remaining RAG funds can be used to support any TSI-identified school in the district. Schools within the district that are not identified as CSI, ATS, or TSI may not receive any RAG-funded supports.
Yes. RAG funds can be used to purchase technology equipment if the data demonstrates a lack of materials or durable goods are a root cause of low achievement/low graduation rate/CSI identification status. Such requests will be considered in the context of how these expenditures directly support students.
The ISD/ESA must submit assurance documentation from the district, ensuring that each RAG-funded district-level position has appropriate placement, certification, and background checks. District-level positions must also maintain time and effort documentation.
Alternative High Schools are provided services on the same basis as any other identified school. Supports and services must be tied to demonstrated need through data analysis/root cause analysis.
Yes. Coaching positions are an allowable expense for RAG funds if the data supports the need for coaching as a root cause for the school’s identification. The MDE recommends that the ISD/ESA meet the MDE definition of a coach.
Yes. If the district can show that not attending a dual enrollment program is a root cause of low achievement/low graduation rate/CSI-/ATS-identification status as evidenced by data. However, the district must first utilize any available funds under the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act.
RAG funds can only be used for reasonable requests for food and snacks for family/community engagement meetings consistent with Title I rules. Reimbursements may be allowable as part of staff travel expenses for a pre-approved RAG-funded activity. No other food expenditures are allowed.
Gas-only cards can be purchased for student transportation to and from allowable RAG-funded activities. This is the only allowable use of gas cards or cash-equivalent gift cards of any kind.
Yes, if it can be shown that there is no in-state opportunity that provides the same level of training. All out-of-state professional learning/training must be reasonable and pre-approved by MDE. Such requests will be considered in the context of how these expenditures directly support students as well as how the learning will be shared with the district. Requests that do not meet these criteria will not be allowed with RAG funds.
Not for ISD/ESA personnel or district-level administrators. There must be a clear, connected, and data-based reason why this is necessary for building leaders or teachers. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis in the context of how such expenditures will address the reason(s) for school identification/how it will lead to increased student achievement or graduation rate.
No. Teacher/staff wellness or self-help interventions or activities are not allowable with Title I RAG funds. There could be circumstances in which such an expenditure – under a very limited and specifically defined intervention - may be allowed under Title II, Part A at the building level, but the request is outside the scope and purpose of the RAG.
On a case-by-case basis. Student wellness or whole child activities that include field trips and Career & Tech Ed (CTE) related activities are very broad in nature and must be pre-approved by MDE.
Yes. Direct student services are the primary intent of the RAG. They are allowable if those services are tied to addressing an identified need or root cause of low achievement/low graduation rate/CSI identification status.
No. However, the ISD/ESA should follow general Title I rules referencing time and effort by using Personnel Activity Reports (PARs) or semi-annual certifications. Activity logs would be considered a best practice.
Yes. MDE must approve every grant cycle in the NexSys platform. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations(EDGAR) requires annual approval. MDE is only obligated to reimburse for activities approved in the NexSys RAG application for that specific grant year.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Subscriptions and memberships are considered an allowable expense for RAG funds if the data supports that the subscription or membership would contribute to an increase in student achievement and/or graduation rates. RAG can only reimburse for subscriptions and memberships during the current grant cycle. Multiple-year subscriptions and membership budget line-item requests must be pro-rated for the current grant cycle through Sept 30, 2026.
Yes, ISD/ESA can pay teacher/staff stipends or additional hours with RAG funds. Stipends are payments for hours worked outside a regular contract that do not include taxes and benefits. Additional hours include both salary and benefits.
