Frequently Asked Questions about ARPA for Public and Charter Schools
Program and Inspection Requirements
No, enrollment is for inspections, water testing, and abatement reimbursement. Public and charter schools can be reimbursed for eligible asbestos and lead-based paint expenses as far back as April 29, 2022. Public and charter schools built after Feb. 28, 1978, must enroll their facilities and submit documentation to be exempt from the lead-based paint inspection, and those built after Oct. 12, 1988, must enroll to be exempt from the asbestos inspection. Facilities built prior to these dates need to enroll and submit documentation if prior inspections have been completed.
The deadline for public and charter schools to enroll is May 31, 2025. This is an extension due to effects of Hurricane Helene (PDF).
The RTI may use their subcontractors to perform asbestos and lead-based paint inspections only in the area(s) being rented. The public or charter school would need to enroll this alternative school location in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids portal.
The program is in place until Dec. 31, 2026, or until the funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Yes, public and charter schools can be reimbursed for previous projects started on or before April 29, 2022. However, walk-through inspections to meet AHERA requirements paid by the schools outside of enrollment in the RTI program will not be eligible for reimbursement. To schedule a walk-through inspection at no cost, public and charter schools needed to enroll by the May 31, 2025, deadline. This is an extension due to effects of Hurricane Helene (PDF).
Public and charter schools that are past due for their AHERA three-year reinspection can have RTI conduct the three-year inspection for free using RTI’s approved subcontractors.
Reimbursement Eligibility and Documentation
Yes, if the original management plan or reinspection report contains documentation (i.e., bulk sample analysis) confirming the material that was abated is greater than 1% asbestos. No, if the material was assumed positive without any documentation.
If the administration area is located in a separate building and children regularly enter this space, then yes, but we require written justification. If it is part of the contiguous building and children can enter the space, then yes, but documentation is not needed.
If you plan to demolish the building(s) and build a new school building(s), asbestos removal is eligible for reimbursement if the school provides documentation that the land and building(s) are approved to be part of a public school or public-school unit. All eligible expenses must be documented including asbestos clearance prior to demolition. The program will not pay for the inspection, demolition or new building materials.
If you plan to abate asbestos, renovate and open in the same purchased building as a school, asbestos removal and replacement materials for the affected areas are eligible for reimbursement if the school provides documentation that the land and building(s) are approved to be part of a public school or public school unit. The program will not pay for inspections prior to the purchase of the building. We require documented, eligible expenses for reimbursement.
We cannot reimburse both a child care facility and the public school for abatement in the same space. Where a public school includes a child care facility, and the auxiliary space is part of the public school unit, then all documented, eligible expenses may be reimbursed. Where a child care facility rents space from a school, they must ensure that their lease permits them to conduct the abatement work. If the child care facility is allowed to perform the work, they must follow the guidance given by the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) on auxiliary spaces in their letter dated May 3, 2024 (PDF). A facility seeking reimbursement for asbestos or lead-based paint abatement and replacement materials in auxiliary spaces must have the DCDEE Lead Counselor confirm auxiliary spaces. After confirmation is received by the Lead Counselor, documented, eligible expenses may be reimbursed.
A college campus can be reimbursed, with limitations, for asbestos and lead-based paint remediation or abatement activities in this case. Only the room(s) directly related to educating public school students can be considered for reimbursement. The public or charter school would need to enroll this location in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids as a remote educational facility. Once testing has been completed and the presence of asbestos or lead-based paint has been identified, which is in need of abatement, then eligible expenses may be reimbursed. Replacement materials may also be reimbursed if the new materials are less than 1% asbestos or less than 90 ppm lead.
A copy of the current lease agreement signed by both parties must be included with the ARPA reimbursement packet.
Visit the ARPA webpage for more information.