(a) The Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall establish, within available bond authorizations, a grant program to assist alliance districts, as defined in § 10-262u, in paying for general improvements to school buildings. For purposes of this section “general improvements to school buildings” means work that (1) is generally not eligible for reimbursement pursuant to chapter 173, and (2) is to (A) replace windows, doors, boilers and other heating and ventilation system components, internal communications and technology systems, lockers, floors, cafeteria equipment and ceilings, including the installation of new drop ceilings, (B) upgrade restrooms including the replacement of fixtures and related water supplies and drainage, (C) upgrade and replace lighting, including energy efficient upgrades to lighting systems and controls to increase efficiency, and reduce consumption levels and cost, (D) upgrade entryways, driveways, parking areas, play areas and athletic fields, (E) upgrade equipment, including, but not limited to, the following equipment purchased on or after November 1, 2017: Cabinets, computers, laptops and related equipment and accessories, (F) repair roofs, including the installation of energy efficient fixtures and systems and environmental enhancements, or (G) install or upgrade security equipment that is consistent with the school safety infrastructure criteria described in § 10-292r, including, but not limited to, video surveillance devices and fencing, provided “general improvements to school buildings” may include work not specified in this subdivision if the alliance district provides justification for such work acceptable to the Commissioner of Administrative Services, but shall not include routine maintenance such as painting, cleaning, equipment repair or other minor repairs or work done at the administrative facilities of a board of education.

(b) Eligibility for grants pursuant to this section shall be determined for a five-year period based on a school district’s designation as an alliance district in the initial year of designation as an alliance district. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon the filing of an application and a satisfactory annual evaluation. Priority shall be given to an alliance district that includes a life-cycle stewardship plan with such alliance district’s application. The life-cycle stewardship plan shall describe the investments and other efforts that have been and will be made by the alliance district to extend the life cycle of its facilities and equipment. Alliance districts shall apply for grants pursuant to this section at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes. Grant awards made to an alliance district that is one of the alliance districts with the five largest populations, based on the 2010 federal census, shall be in an amount equal to or greater than two million dollars.

(c) No funds received by an alliance district pursuant to this section shall be used to supplant local matching requirements for federal or state funding otherwise received by such alliance district for improvements to school buildings.

(d) Each alliance district that receives funds pursuant to this section shall file expenditure reports with the Department of Administrative Services as requested by the Commissioner of Administrative Services. Each alliance district shall refund (1) any unexpended amounts at the close of the project for which the grants are awarded and (2) any amounts not expended in accordance with the approved grant application.

(e) General improvements for which grants are awarded in any year shall be completed by the end of the succeeding fiscal year.