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1-28-09 'Stimulus could give NJ schools $895M
Press of Atlantic City - 'Proposal includes funding for construction, more aid for disabled children' New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan....Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said the IDEA funds for disabled students would be very helpful to all districts, but..."There are still a lot of great unknowns," she said. "But we are just looking for fairness in the distribution of the funds."
Stimulus could give N.J. schools $895M. Proposal includes funding for construction, more aid for disabled children By DIANE D'AMICO Education Writer, 609-272-7241 (Published: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ) New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan. Estimates developed for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 show the bill would put about $287 million into the state for school construction, focusing on modernization, renovation and repair work that could be done within two years. The plan also provides about $210 million in additional Title I aid for disadvantaged children, split over two years. These funds could possibly be allocated to expand public preschool, a pet project of Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The final $398 million would be used to provide additional funds for the education of children with disabilities through the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Education advocates around the state said they are advising district officials to stay aware of the proposal and be prepared to act quickly once a bill is passed. "Districts will have to set priorities," New Jersey School Boards Association spokesman Frank Belluscio said. "The focus does seem to be on emergent repairs for the construction funds." As proposed, districts would have 12 months to put under contract at least half of their allocated construction funds, and 24 months to obligate the rest. Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said the IDEA funds for disabled students would be very helpful to all districts, but they are concerned that other funding might go largely to the urban districts and do little to help suburban schools. A review of the proposal shows about half of the construction money would go to 10 of the state's largest districts, including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton and Camden. "There are still a lot of great unknowns," she said. "But we are just looking for fairness in the distribution of the funds." The proposal calls for the states to distribute the funds. State Department of Treasury spokesman Tom Bell said they won't make any decisions until they have more definite information. "Right now it is all just speculation," he said. "We'll wait for the actual numbers." The House could vote on its version of the bill today, and the Senate is expected to vote next week on its separate proposal. Jason Galanes, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-1st, said LoBiondo strongly supports school construction funding but is reviewing the entire bill before deciding his vote. "There are some things that are questionable as to whether they meet the intent of the bill," he said. He said LoBiondo is co-sponsoring a separate bill to fund construction if it is not included in the final stimulus package. Locally, school officials are hopeful, but waiting for the details. Millville superintendent Shelly Schneider said the extra $4 million allocated to the district would help, but mostly if it could be used next year, and only if it does not mean a cut in other funds. "It could be good," she said. "But we'll have to see all the rules and strings that come with it." E-mail Diane D'Amico: DDamico@pressofac.com
Press of Atlantic City - 'Proposal includes funding for construction, more aid for disabled children' New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan....Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said the IDEA funds for disabled students would be very helpful to all districts, but..."There are still a lot of great unknowns," she said. "But we are just looking for fairness in the distribution of the funds."
Stimulus could give N.J. schools $895M. Proposal includes funding for construction, more aid for disabled children By DIANE D'AMICO Education Writer, 609-272-7241 (Published: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ) New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan. Estimates developed for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 show the bill would put about $287 million into the state for school construction, focusing on modernization, renovation and repair work that could be done within two years. The plan also provides about $210 million in additional Title I aid for disadvantaged children, split over two years. These funds could possibly be allocated to expand public preschool, a pet project of Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The final $398 million would be used to provide additional funds for the education of children with disabilities through the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Education advocates around the state said they are advising district officials to stay aware of the proposal and be prepared to act quickly once a bill is passed. "Districts will have to set priorities," New Jersey School Boards Association spokesman Frank Belluscio said. "The focus does seem to be on emergent repairs for the construction funds." As proposed, districts would have 12 months to put under contract at least half of their allocated construction funds, and 24 months to obligate the rest. Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said the IDEA funds for disabled students would be very helpful to all districts, but they are concerned that other funding might go largely to the urban districts and do little to help suburban schools. A review of the proposal shows about half of the construction money would go to 10 of the state's largest districts, including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton and Camden. "There are still a lot of great unknowns," she said. "But we are just looking for fairness in the distribution of the funds." The proposal calls for the states to distribute the funds. State Department of Treasury spokesman Tom Bell said they won't make any decisions until they have more definite information. "Right now it is all just speculation," he said. "We'll wait for the actual numbers." The House could vote on its version of the bill today, and the Senate is expected to vote next week on its separate proposal. Jason Galanes, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-1st, said LoBiondo strongly supports school construction funding but is reviewing the entire bill before deciding his vote. "There are some things that are questionable as to whether they meet the intent of the bill," he said. He said LoBiondo is co-sponsoring a separate bill to fund construction if it is not included in the final stimulus package. Locally, school officials are hopeful, but waiting for the details. Millville superintendent Shelly Schneider said the extra $4 million allocated to the district would help, but mostly if it could be used next year, and only if it does not mean a cut in other funds. "It could be good," she said. "But we'll have to see all the rules and strings that come with it." E-mail Diane D'Amico: DDamico@pressofac.com
