Mamaroneck Schools

Four positive votes from the Committee are needed for an application to be approved. The Committee may recommend changes, deletions or additions in an application in order to obtain the required four votes.  

The primary consideration is the merit of the application.  However, since funds are limited, the committee tries to distribute funds equitably among staff members and buildings.  An applicant’s history of PEF funding will be considered in reviewing a proposal.

Among the factors considered by the Committee in reviewing applications are:

The merits and costs of the activity and its applicability to the applicant’s teaching assignment and area of certification.
The quality of the content of both the PEF application (Description of Activity, Purpose of Proposal and Follow-Up/Evaluation) and the quality of the actual activity.
Prior PEF funding of the applicant, both total funding and within the current funding year.
The effect which large numbers of teachers requesting a PEF activity in a building and/or department has to be the overall functioning of that building, department and district.  The PEF Committee recommends that teachers communicate amongst themselves whenever possible as to the number of individuals who will apply in a building and/or department.
Length of service of the applicant in relation to total prior funding.
The teacher’s overall attendance will be a consideration for approving grants.
An applicant’s membership in the professional organization of the conference applied for.
An applicant’s status as an officer of a professional organization or as an organizer or presenter at a conference.
The number of times an applicant has attended the same conference.
Generally, the Committee will not look favorably upon the application of an applicant who has prior PEF approval of three days out of the classroom.
Preference given to local, state and regional conferences and activities over national/ international conferences and activities when travel costs to more distant conferences are not commensurate with relative benefits derived by either the district or the individual.
Generally, the Committee will not look favorably upon summer applications that conflict with summer district employment.
There must be evidence that proposals for curriculum enhancement do not duplicate work available either in the district or from publishers.
It is expected that the timeframe suggested for curriculum enhancement projects be commensurate with the work proposed.
 

Submit a grant application by clicking on the orange button above, or by clicking here.

Please adhere to the following grant guidelines

1. All requests must be made at least one month in advance of the conference date.
2. Submit applications with only one name on each application.  If you intend to share a room or an automobile with someone else indicate so on your application.  However, bear in mind that one person may be approved for an activity while another is denied approval.
3. The main purpose of each application is to increase the professional development and skills of the teacher within the framework of the district, building, PDP and APPR goals and objectives.  Each applicant, therefore, must clearly articulate the specific benefits which are to be gained toward broadening their professional development in relation to these goals and objectives.  In addition, the overall benefits to be gained by the students and the school district must be included.
4. The method used to evaluate the benefits of each proposal along with follow-up activities associated with the application must be clearly delineated in the application.
5. Reimbursement for expenditures cannot exceed the approved amount in each category. All receipts must be itemized.
6. Be specific as to dates, times, places and costs associated with the proposal.
7. The first step when a conference is approved by the PEF Committee is to contact your building secretary who will help guide you through the process.
8. The Absence Authorization & Travel Reimbursement Form should be filled out immediately and sent through the signature cycle.  The estimated expenses section must be filled out with the estimated costs of all reimbursable items and the budget code that will be used for the reimbursement.  If the conference was approved by the PEF Committee, the Purchasing Department will enter the budget code for you; just make a note telling us to use the PEF budget code.  This form must be filled out and submitted for all travel even if the conference or athletic event is held on the weekend or during the summer months.
9. Conference Fees should be paid on a Purchase Order whenever possible.  Hotel may not accept a purchase order but you can take a district check with you when you go.  You can hold the reservation with your credit card and then give them the district check when you check in.  The district check will cover room rates, taxes (if the hotel is not in NY State) and any other applicable fees but will not cover phone, internet, movies or any other in room services.  DO NOT use your credit card unless you have written approval from the purchasing agent.
10. Air travel:   If air travel is the most economical mode of travel, it may be approved; however, travel by train or car must also be considered and proof of air travel being less than the others must be submitted to the purchasing agent prior to booking any travel. The Purchasing Agent will review with the employee and chose the most economical travel.  DO NOT purchase tickets until you have written approval from the purchasing agent.
11. Transportation:   Taxis, subways, parking and trains:  Receipts must be submitted for all taxis, subways, parking and trains in order to be reimbursed.
12. Meals:   Meals are reimbursed as follows: $5.00 for breakfast, $15.00 for lunch and $30.00 for dinner.  The district will reimburse no more than a 15% tip.  This does not include alcoholic beverages.  All receipts must be itemized.  Receipts that are not itemized will not be paid.  The above limits cannot be combined by skipping a meal and spending more at the next meal.
13. Mileage/Tolls:   Mileage (not gas) will be paid at the rate approved by the Board of Education.  This rate may vary from year to year.  Round-trip MapQuest printouts must be supplied showing the total miles for reimbursement.  Tolls will be paid if receipts are submitted for each toll or an E-ZPass printout is provided with the tolls circled.
14. Rental Cars are not allowed unless advance approval is received by the Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations.
15. Board of Education Policy #6830 dictates the rules and regulations concerning expenses and reimbursements.  Please refer to the Board policy in Section 2 for specific guidance and directions.
     

Applications must be submitted by the deadlines stated in the calendar.  You may only apply for conferences that take place at least 30 days after the PEF meeting dates listed below. The Committee needs time before the scheduled meeting to review the applications.  The Committee regrets that some teachers may be precluded from attending valuable activities because organizations do not publicize their conferences or workshops early enough for teachers to submit applications in time. In an attempt to facilitate the processing of paperwork, the PEF Committee requires that all reimbursements be submitted within 15 days after the date of the PEF approved activity.  Failure to do so will forfeit your opportunity to be reimbursed for this activity.  If the conference receipts are delayed due to the sponsoring agency, you must submit information regarding the delay within 45 days of the completion of the activity.

Applications should have as their main purpose the improvement of professional skills of teachers.  Applications for attending conferences, workshops, graduate courses (no salary increments) conventions and special programs are among the kinds of proposals that have received PEF approval in the past.  Any application that meets the main purpose of PEF will be carefully considered by the Committee.  Activities where the primary role of the teacher is chaperoning students are not appropriate for PEF funding.