Proposals from all school districts will be evaluated and ranked by a committee established pursuant to WAC 392-157-140 based on the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance:

(1) A program will be made available where there was no program before.

(2) The projected total number of students that will be affected by the purchase or project while allocating the funds to the greatest number of districts practical.

(3) The effect of the purchase or the project on the participation of students eligible for free and reduced price meals.

(4) Time frame in which a new program will be started and/or how quickly the improvements can be made as the result of the purchase or project.

(5) The availability of other sources of money for the proposed purchases or project.

(6) Necessary assurances provided by the school district for the continuation of the program after the purchases are made or the project is completed.

(7) The projected effect of the purchase or project on program quality.

(8) The amount of grant money available.

(9) The geographic dispersion of the grantees.