School districts in New York have successfully been approved for Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) grants to subsidize SchoolFront document scanning services.
The SchoolFront Team would be happy to assist school districts preparing applications for a grant and can provide extensive information about SchoolFront Services that fall under the purview of the grant and SchoolFront vendor credentials. If you are interested in SchoolFront help with your grant application, please CONTACT US and a member of the SchoolFront Team will reach out to learn more about your objectives for the grant and provide input.
For detailed information about the current or upcoming grant cycle, or to apply for a grant, visit the New York State Archives website: https://www.archives.nysed.gov/grants/grants-overview
They have detailed information about the LGRMIF program, including guidelines, application forms, and deadlines.
LGRMIF grants have played a crucial role in helping New York school districts modernize their records management practices, ensuring that important information is preserved, protected, and readily accessible.
About the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF)
The Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) is a grant program in New York State designed to help local governments improve their records management practices. It's funded by fees collected by county clerks and the New York City Register.
Purpose:
To help local governments in New York State establish, improve, and maintain their records management programs. This includes things like:
Creating or updating records retention and disposal schedules.
Preserving and managing historical records.
Digitizing paper records.
Implementing electronic document management systems.
Providing training for records management staff.
Who can apply:
Any local government in New York State is eligible, including:
Counties
Cities
Towns
Villages
School districts
Special districts
How it works:
The New York State Archives administers the LGRMIF program.
It's a competitive grant program, meaning that applications are reviewed and scored based on their merits.
The amount of funding available each year varies depending on the fees collected.
Types of projects funded:
Management of inactive records: This can include things like organizing and storing records that are no longer actively used, but still need to be retained.
Files management: Improving current filing systems, creating standardized procedures, and ensuring efficient access to records.
Management of historical records: Preserving and providing access to historically valuable records.
Converting records to digital images: Digitizing paper records to improve access and preservation.
NY Public School Districts & the LGRMIF
School districts in New York have utilized LGRMIF grants in a variety of ways to improve their records management practices. Here are some examples:
Digitization of student records: Many districts have used grant funding to convert paper records, such as student transcripts and cumulative folders, into digital formats. This not only improves accessibility and efficiency but also helps to preserve these important documents.
Implementation of electronic document management systems: Some districts have used grants to purchase and implement electronic document management systems (EDMS). These systems allow for the secure storage, retrieval, and management of digital records, reducing reliance on paper and improving workflow.
Preservation of historical records: LGRMIF grants have enabled school districts to preserve vital historical documents, such as school board minutes, photographs, and yearbooks, by funding projects to digitize, conserve, and properly store these materials.
Training for records management staff: Grants can be used to provide training for school district staff responsible for managing records. This ensures that personnel are knowledgeable about best practices in records management, including legal compliance, retention schedules, and disaster preparedness.
Microfilm conversion: Older records stored on microfilm can be converted to digital formats with LGRMIF grant support, making them more accessible and easier to preserve.