Planning grants and implementation grants

(a) Planning grants (1) In general The Secretary shall award planning grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to develop concept plans described in paragraph (3) to turn some or all of the outdoor spaces of the public elementary schools and secondary schools served by the eligible entities into revitalized schoolyards. (2) Applications An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require, including the following: (A) An initial scope of work briefly summarizing the project. (B) A plan for educator professional development to support educators in using the revitalized schoolyard. (C) Identification of State learning standards that may be addressed through student involvement in the revitalized schoolyard. (D) A plan for how the eligible entity will provide for maintenance and operation of the revitalized schoolyard after the grant period ends. (3) Use of funds (A) Concept plan An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to develop a concept plan, including design and construction documents, to turn some or all of the outdoor spaces of the public elementary schools and secondary schools served by the eligible entity into revitalized schoolyards. Such concept plan shall comply with the following: (i) Be developed with school and public input, including students, families, educators, school staff, and the public. (ii) Be developed with the goal of longevity and resilience of the revitalized schoolyard after the grant period under this subsection and subsection (b) has expired. (iii) Maximize investment in schools with low tree canopy and vulnerability to extreme heat or flooding. (iv) Maximize investment in schools with a high percentage of students eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.). (v) Include— (I) ecological, climate, and biodiversity goals; (II) learning and education goals; (III) physical and mental health goals; (IV) a description of how the entity will provide accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); (V) the number of students to be served at each school served under the grant, the total size of each such school property in acres, and the size of the proposed revitalized schoolyard at each site in acres; (VI) a concept plan drawing of the design proposed for each school served under the grant; (VII) an estimate of the probable cost based on the scope of work identified in the concept plan; (VIII) an identification of community partners, including nonprofit organizations or design professionals, that have expertise in outdoor learning spaces or outdoor education, if applicable; (IX) a long-term management plan describing how the eligible entity proposes to maintain the revitalized schoolyard over time and how the concept plan relates to other district plans; and (X) how components of the site design may address— (aa) growing food, planting pollinator plants, creating habitat for wildlife, and creating amenities to support students in observing nature and participating in school gardens; (bb) conserving water and managing stormwater; (cc) supporting hands-on learning activities and programs across subject areas and grade levels, such as conducting experiments regarding soil, wind, water, and other elements; (dd) using the arts, such as preparing skits, plays, murals, drawings, and sculptures that celebrate nature, including its animals, plants, patterns, and behaviors, to strengthen learning objectives; (ee) planting, to the extent practicable, native and nonnative species, which— (AA) directly protect students from the effects of extreme heat due to climate change; and (BB) cast shade on adjacent classroom windows in the school building to help reduce temperatures indoors and save cooling costs during the warmest parts of the school year; and (ff) the use of natural playgrounds, which include natural and nature-based elements, such as rock gardens, sand boxes, log stumps, streams, living plants, or innovative playground elements, that encourage gross motor play and integrated with the outdoor landscape and vegetation, and which— (AA) will absorb less heat from the sun and air than traditional playgrounds and equipment; (BB) are inclusive and accessible for children of all abilities; (CC) allow children to learn about nature; and (DD) use non-petroleum-based materials. (B) Technical assistance (i) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection may use grant funds to hire or contract a qualified grant writer or consultant as an allowable administrative cost to assist the eligible entity in preparing and submitting an application for an implementation grant under subsection (b). (ii) Maximum amount An eligible entity may use not more than 10 percent of the total grant award to hire or contract a qualified grant writer or consultant as described in clause (i). (b) Implementation grants (1) In general The Secretary shall award implementation grants to eligible entities that received a planning grant under subsection (a) and developed a concept plan in accordance with subsection (a). (2) Applications (A) In general An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (B) Multiple grants An eligible entity may apply for more than 1 grant under this subsection in order to complete individual schools in separate phases. (3) Use of funds (A) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to implement some or all of the concept plan developed in accordance with subsection (a) by turning some or all of the outdoor spaces of the public elementary schools and secondary schools served by the eligible entity into revitalized schoolyards. (B) Permissible uses An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection may use not more than 25 percent of the grant funds— (i) for professional development for school leadership, educators, and paraprofessionals related to outdoor teaching and bringing students outside for learning; and (ii) to support an educator or other school staff member or school partner to establish, maintain, and steward the revitalized schoolyard of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the eligible entity and provide professional development described in clause (i). (4) Match (A) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall provide matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 20 percent of the grant award. (B) Waiver The Secretary may waive the matching requirement under subparagraph (A) for an eligible entity that— (i) receives a grant under this subsection and serves students not less than 40 percent of whom are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), which calculation, in the case of high schools served by the eligible entity, may be completed using comparable data from the schools that feed into the high schools; or (ii) receives a grant under this subsection and serves a school described in section 3(a).