Stimulus Bill Would Aid Local School Budgets
Education
The New Bedford Standard-Times
Cristian Hernandez
Boston University Washington News Service
02/05/09
WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama’s stimulus package could give more then $100 billion in education aid to the country’s 15,000 school districts over the next two years, including $19.2 million for New Bedford Public Schools by the end of 2010, according to estimates made public by the House Appropriations Committee.
The massive $825 billion stimulus bill passed the House last week and is being considered in the Senate this week.
New Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Portia Bonner said the stimulus money would keep teachers on the job, help maintain small class sizes and avoid elimination of special reading, music and arts programs.
“The help will be more then welcomed,” Bonner said.
Most Massachusetts school districts have been dealing with shrinking funds triggered by the economic fallout and were hit hard after Gov. Deval Patrick slashed the state budget.
“We believe that the stimulus package can have a significant dent in the impact of the recession and be well used to fill the gap in stalled construction projects,” said Glenn Koocher, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
Although optimism surrounding the much-needed federal aid is high, some school officials are wary.
“When you look in the dictionary under the word uncertainty what you are going to see is this proposal,” said Dartmouth Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Russell. “We appreciate the effort, but it’s much too early to pin our hopes on it.”
Under the estimated district–by-district allocations, Dartmouth schools could potentially receive $2.2 million in federal funds over two years. Like most schools in the commonwealth, Dartmouth schools are operating at the minimum required spending level as mandated by the state. Russell said that funding was extremely limited and that Dartmouth schools have already started to cut staff and charge students fees for sports, music programs and clubs.
Other public school communities that would benefit from the stimulus cash include Fall River, with an estimated two-year boost of $16.4 million; Wareham, with $2.2 million; and Freetown-Lakeview, with $839,200.
The rough estimates on individual district allocations come from the Congressional Research Service and are based on enrollment numbers and existing federal education grant standards, according to a spokeswoman for the House Education and Labor Committee.
Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Barry Rabinovitch said his district has been slashing costs for the last five years.
“Budget cuts have affected instructional materials the most. As well as not being able to hire new staff, that’s where I will be looking at using the money,” Rabinovitch said.
The aid would come in three categories and be distributed to school districts over two years. There would be an increase for Title I grants, which go to school districts to assist low-achieving students in high-poverty schools. There would be money for construction projects and modernization of infrastructure. And there would be increased funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides federal aid to programs for children with special needs.
Students in higher education also would receive a boost; the legislation would increase the maximum Pell grant by at least $400 a year as well as increase the limits on federally subsidized loans.
“I know in these tough economic times the priorities in which we place our money are very important,” Bonner said. She said she hopes the money will come because investing in strong schools should be a priority.
School officials said they are hopeful but have to look at the future while concentrating on what’s directly ahead. Rabinovitch said that if they do get the money it is guaranteed for only two years. “You have to look at using it so that it saves you money down the road,” he said.
Russell said that he is treating the proposals as preliminary and well intentioned but that his first priority is with challenges directly ahead. “If I have to worry about the lights turning off I’m not worried about redesigning the lighting systems,” he said.
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