Tennessee's Energy Efficient Schools Initiative is streamlining the grant application process with its online management system, ePlan. This platform is essential for charter schools seeking federal funding, allowing users to apply for grants, request reimbursements, and manage budget amendments efficiently.

During a recent webinar, officials emphasized the importance of proper user access roles within ePlan. Each school must ensure that at least two different personnel are assigned to key roles to maintain internal controls. Users can check their access roles through the ePlan address book and must submit a user access form to request any changes. This form is readily available on the ePlan homepage and through the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) resources.

The application process involves a series of internal approvals before reaching TDOE for final approval. To facilitate this, schools are encouraged to designate three core roles: the LEA grant director, the LEA fiscal representative, and the LEA authorized representative. While one individual can fulfill multiple roles, having at least two different staff members as approvers is crucial for accountability.

As schools prepare their funding applications, the webinar highlighted the need for careful planning and the inclusion of appropriate users at each step of the workflow. This proactive approach is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of grant applications, ultimately benefiting Tennessee's charter schools.