Evaluation

Funding

SHARED SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS

February 1, 2021

Shared Services Arrangements SIDNEY ISD

CONTENTS

Shared Services Arrangements ...................................................................................... 1

What is Required ......................................................................................................... 1

Definitions ................................................................................................................. 1

Additional Procedures .................................................................................................. 1

Shared Services Arrangements ................................................................................ 1

Fiscal Agents ............................................................................................................ 1

Excluded Entities ...................................................................................................... 1

Written Agreements .................................................................................................. 2

Evidence of Implementation ......................................................................................... 3

Resources .................................................................................................................... 3

CITATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 3

Shared Services Arrangements SIDNEY ISD

Shared Services Arrangements

What is Required

The District’s Board of Trustees may contract with a public or private entity for the

provision of educational services for the District through a shared services arrangement.

A shared services arrangement (“SSA”) must operate in accordance with the procedures

developed by the TEA. The District’s regional education service center may serve as the

fiscal agent for SSAs in compliance with general program requirements and local district

procedures under state law.

Definitions

“Shared services arrangement” is an agreement between two or more school districts,

open-enrollment charter schools, and/or educational service centers.

Additional Procedures

Shared Services Arrangements

SSAs are allowed for all grants in the Special Education Grant Application except IDEA-

D and SSVI. The SSA agreement should include how eligible carryover funds will be

distributed if a member leaves the SSA or if the SSA dissolves. Should a member leave

the SSA or the SSA dissolve, the SSA and its members are responsible for handling the

accounting and for documenting any transfers of funds. The TEA may request

documentation regarding these transfers at any point.

Fiscal Agents

For each SSA, a fiscal agent will be designated by the SSA members to be ultimately

responsible for the compliance with grant requirements and conducting administrative

duties. The fiscal agent is the applicant that completes and submits a composite

application with input from and on behalf of its members. The application may be

submitted by completing the TEA’s “Application Designation and Certification” form for

most eGrants.

The fiscal agent must ensure that funds are used in accordance with grant provisions and

will maintain all SSA financial and personnel records required for the TEA, in accordance

with Financial Accounting and Reporting (“FAR”). The fiscal agent may be responsible for

financial consequences concerning SSA instances of noncompliance or any SSA

member unable to repay respective portion of misappropriated funds in question.

Excluded Entities

Shared Services Arrangements SIDNEY ISD

The following entities cannot provide services through an SSA:

• Colleges/universities;

• Community-based organizations;

• Councils of governments; or

• Other local governments, such as cities and counties.

However, these entities may contract with the SSA’s fiscal agent to provide services or

enter into a collaborative partnership with the fiscal agent to conduct grant activities but

will not be members of the SSA.

Written Agreements

A formal, written SSA agreement that defines the composite entity and outlines the

responsibilities of the fiscal agent and each SSA member is required. At a minimum, the

SSA will contain the following information:

• Legal requirements, including:

o Organization of the SSA;

o Ownership of assets;

o Policies and procedures addressing disposition of assets if the SSA is

terminated by one or all members;

o Policies and procedures addressing carryover funds if the SSA is

terminated by one or all members;

o Liabilities, including legal fees;

o Basis for allocation of costs of the fiscal agent; and

o Uncontrollable costs that impact the fiscal agent.

• Responsibilities of the designated fiscal agent, such as:

o Services to be provided to SSA members;

o Employment of personnel;

o Budgeting and accounting; and

Shared Services Arrangements SIDNEY ISD

o Reporting; and

• Responsibilities of members of the SSA, including:

o Employment or personnel;

o Budgeting and accounting; and

o Reporting.

The fiscal agent is responsible for complying with these requirements and for filing the

written SSA agreement for audit and monitoring purposes.

[ADD ADDITIONAL DISTRICT PROCEDURES AS APPROPRIATE]

Evidence of Implementation

• Written SSA Agreement

• Designation of Fiscal Agent

• Applicant Designation and Certification form (for LEAs eligible for the Special

Education Consolidated Grant)

• [DISTRICT FORMS]

Resources

The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process: Shared

Services Arrangements - Region 18

Program Guidelines 2018-2019 Special Education Consolidated Grant Application

(Shared Services Arrangements, pg. 9) - Texas Education Agency

Guidelines, Provisions, and Assurances - Texas Education Agency

Shared Services Arrangements Procedures - Texas Education Agency

Applicant Designation and Certification - Texas Education Agency

IDEA Fiscal Compliance - Texas Education Agency.

Sensory Impairments - Texas Education Agency

[ADDITIONAL DISTRICT RESOURCES]

CITATIONS

Shared Services Arrangements SIDNEY ISD

Board Policy GNB; Texas Education Code 11.157; 19 Texas Administrative Code

89.1075(f), 89.1141(f)