Crescent-News.com - Area schools receiving fed stimulus monies

By JENNY DERRINGER

In an effort to help the economy, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As part of the act, school districts will receive funding to help with tight budgets and broaden educational opportunities for students.

The U.S. Secretary of Education reported that approximately $11.37 billion was made available to Ohio, which will disperse the money. Fifty percent of the funds were awarded in April, while the remaining amount is expected to be available this month.

Eric Beavers, CFO/treasurer of Defiance City Schools, noted that there are two different stimulus awards for Ohio school districts: State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF), which helps to fund a district's foundation payment; and Title I and IDEA part B (special education) grants.

"We have begun to receive stimulus funds via state foundation payments," said Beavers of the SFSF funding. "Please note, these are not additional funds (or new money) to the district, rather federal funds are being used by the state to help fund our foundation payments, which without the stimulus funds would have resulted in a loss in state aid. However, along with the stimulus funds comes extra reporting and accountability requirements for these funds without an increase to our revenue."

Beavers stated that Defiance City Schools will use the funds for normal daily operations, including utility expenses, computer consortium/Internet technology costs, textbook replacement and salary/fringe benefits of personnel.

Concerning the Title I and IDEA part B grants, requests will begin this month, he said.

Beavers stated that the district was awarded an additional $259,437 in Title I funds for the next two years. This is expected to offset two kindergarten teachers' salaries/benefits, summer school expenses, instructional equipment and supplies.

Defiance was also awarded $680,204 for the next two years for IDEA part B. The district has earmarked this money for professional development, Smartboards, laptops, instructional supplies/materials, funding a second elementary school guidance counselor, academic tutors and additional speech/language and orientation/mobility-contracted services.

Ayersville Local Schools is anticipating receiving SFSF, Title I and IDEA part B federal funds, said superintendent Tod Hug.

"The State Fiscal Stabilization Funds are being targeted for operational needs of the district, such as textbooks, utilities, NWOCA technology fees, etc.," explained Hug. "The state of Ohio has received budget stabilization funds from the ARRA (federal recovery act), ... replacing funds lost due to the reduction of foundation funding. It is important to note that these State Fiscal Stabilization Funds are not additional funds to our district."

As far as Title I funds are concerned, Hug expects the initial payment in late September. Additional funds are being used for intervention in elementary math.

"The third source is IDEA part B ARRA funds," added Hug. "We are currently coordinating with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center concerning the use and timing of the IDEA part B ARRA funds. These funds are specifically targeting special needs students and programming, but may also be used in some cases with regular education teachers and programming."

Patrick Henry Local Schools administrators are also eyeing the federal funding.

"Our district will be utilizing the stimulus money toward extending the hours of the Title I teacher at the Malinta-Grelton Elementary building, which houses grades 3-4," stated superintendent Susan Miko. "The position last year was only part-time, but we are increasing it to a full-time position, but just for the time period that the extra stimulus funding is out there. After that, the position will be reassessed and most likely be moved back to a part-time basis."

She noted that the district tries to have Title I positions covered by Title I funding whenever possible, as opposed to general funds.

Miko reported that the district has not received the funding yet, but it is on its way.

"It is coming," said Miko. "It's just that various people at the Ohio Department of Education have to look over our comprehensive continuous improvement plan and once they've all signed off on it, the money comes our way. Most districts are probably in the same boat as us, in that regard.

"We're truly grateful for the additional dollars from the federal stimulus," added Miko. "In our case, the money will help toward getting extra reading assistance for those students who are struggling with reading -- especially in the lower grades. Reading is so important to lifelong success that we're very appreciative of the extra dollars to help fund these programs."

Taking advantage of the stimulus money is the Holgate Local School District. Superintendent Tony Meinerding stated that the district is using the funds for staff salaries and benefits.

"Any time the federal and/or state government wants to support Holgate with money, Holgate Local Schools will be glad to accept the money and we will put the money to good use," he said.