IAL GRANT CERT MEMO FOR OBF.D370.4.20.26.DOCX

Maricopa County School Superintendent
4041 N. Central Ave., Suite 1100
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
P: 602.506.3866
E: superintendent@maricopa.gov
schoolsup.org
MARICOPA COUNTY CERTIFICATION FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS
POLICY A2505 FOR ADMINISTERING GRANTS
DATE:
April 20, 2026
TO:
Mike McGee, County CFO, Office of Budget & Finance
FROM:
Dajana Zlatičanin, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Schools, D370
SUBJECT:
Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant Application
COUNTY POLICY
Section V.A.1 of the County’s Administering Grants Policy (A2505) as approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors 
states the following:
A. Grant Application
1. Departments are not required to obtain Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors approval prior to submitting an 
application for grant funding provided the grant meets the following requirements: 
a. Cash or in-kind matching requirements, if any, will be absorbed in the department’s operating budget 
appropriation; and 
b. Indirect Costs, if not fully recoverable, will be absorbed in the department’s operating budget appropriation; and 
c. Ongoing contributions required after the grant period end date, if any, will be absorbed in the department’s 
operating budget appropriation. 
In addition, the Department Director shall certify that the grant being applied for meets the above requirements.
DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATIONS
I certify that the Grant applied for by the Maricopa County School Superintendent’s Office (MCSSO) meets the 
requirements stipulated above and complies with the County’s Administering Grants Policy (A2505) as approved by the 
Board of Supervisors. 
Grant name:
Innovative Approaches to Literacy
Grantor:
U.S. Dept. of Labor on behalf of U.S. Dept. of Education
CFDA:
84.215G
Grant period:
10/1/2026—9/30/2031
Grant amount
:
$4 million over 5 years requested
Indirect costs:
Reimbursed at the 15.0% restricted cost rate.
Matching requirement: N/A
Ongoing requirement:
N/A
FTEs to be funded by grant:
7 FTEs

Maricopa County School Superintendent
4041 N. Central Ave., Suite 1100
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
P: 602.506.3866
E: superintendent@maricopa.gov
schoolsup.org
Mandate grant will support:
A.R.S. §15-302 (A.11)
On 5/6/2026, MCSSO will be requesting the Board of Supervisors approve the CSS to apply for grant funding from the 
U.S. Department of Education. The grant’s purpose is to provide funding for programs that expand access to high-quality 
books, strengthen school library programs, and promote literacy development in high-need LEAs with a goal of increasing 
reading proficiency.
If awarded the full $750,000 for fiscal year 2027, the recoverable indirect cost of administering this grant will be $112,500. 
Future ongoing cash contributions are not required after the grant period. The grant award will help support the 
Superintendent in meeting the mandate in A.R.S. §15-302 to collaborate with the department of education and other state 
agencies to assist schools in using student data, staff development, curriculum alignment, and technology to improve 
student performance. 
We understand any ongoing program costs after the grant period cannot burden the County’s General Fund, as outlined 
in Policy A2505.  At the grant’s conclusion, MCSSO will, barring alternative funding and without supplement from the 
County’s General Fund, inactivate any positions and discontinue any other program costs funded by the grant.  
We understand that before spending the grant funding (if awarded), MCSSO will prepare a Board Agenda for the Board 
of Supervisors to formally accept the award.
MCSSO appreciates the support of the County and Supervisors in its endeavor to improve student achievement and 
attainment.  If there are any additional questions about the proposed grant, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office 
for information.
Sincerely,
Dajana Zlatičanin 
602-372-7325 
_____________________________________________
Signature of Department Director/Office Chief