Board flags startup funds and allowable-cost language in grant draft

Board members raised questions about whether the draft application explicitly allows start-up funding and whether the list of allowable costs reflects the board's SOP. "We previously talked about the grant being able to give up start up funds, and that's not reflected anywhere," one member said, asking staff to identify where start-up or general operating support would appear in the document.

Staff said childcare is included on the allowable-cost list but acknowledged the formatting could be clearer; Dr. Valencia Campbell cautioned against committing to giving start-up funds without a formal vote: "I don't think we should say we will give start up funds because everybody and their brother will hold us to that." Staff asked members to place comments in the document and pledged to locate an appropriate section for start-up support if the board wants it clearly stated.