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Schools not yet sure on fed funding
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson School Superintendent David Woodall said while Congress is saying $1.4 billion will go to Arizona School Districts, it is still too early to know what that means to the Benson School District.
"Hopefully in the next three to four weeks this will be clarified," Woodall said. "In general, we expect the state to move forward with some cuts to education."
However, Woodall said as part of the requirements specified by the federal government, in order for Arizona to qualify for the education funding, which is a major part of the $827 billion American Recovery Reinvestment Act approved last month, the budget cannot be cut below 2005-06 levels. If cuts are made below those levels, then a portion of the stimulus funds must be used as back-fill, or the budgets must be returned to current spending levels.
"Is there enough money to totally backfill cuts? No one seems to know," Woodall said.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, D-District 8, said earlier this month that Arizona would receive up to $1.4 billion in federal stimulus funding for the cash-strapped school districts across the state.
"This stimulus funding could not come at a more critical time," Giffords said. "Schools across our state are facing the prospect of severe budget cuts that could significantly impair their ability to prepare the next generation of Arizonans for the challenges of the 21st century. These much-needed federal dollars will help avert teacher layoffs and the reduction of elimination of valuable programs that our children need."
Calvin Baker, president of the Arizona Superintendent's Association, said the stimulus package is long, detailed and highly complex. The regulations and grant applications, which have not all been written, will contain far more details and intricacies.
"There is roughly $800 million that is being applied to backfill Arizona's shortfall in education funding," Baker said in a March 26 letter. "States that are able to use their governor's portion to retain education funding at current levels and still have money left over, can use those extra funds to do other things. Arizona's Legislature is proposing to cut funding for education so significantly that we will not even come close to having any leftover funds."
It has been a stressful few months for school administrators across the state, especially in Cochise County, as they look at how to handle proposed cuts. Arizona lawmakers have said education makes up a large percentage of the state's overall budget, and with a $3 billion deficit, cuts have to be made.
Even with stimulus funds being promised, educators remain nervous. The state budget cuts being proposed for the 2010 fiscal year are steep, and Benson is looking at a $1 million loss.
For many districts, the biggest worry is layoffs. The Sierra Vista School District is already taking action. In a 3-2 vote last week, the county's largest school district approved the first phase of cuts.
School administrators said besides losing bond funds for the upcoming year, the state's cuts could result in a $1.5 million shortfall.
Besides layoffs, the Sierra Vista School District also looked at cutting the middle school athletics program.
Woodall said it is also unknown if the district will receive federal funds for the Title I and IDEA program, which were established to provide funding for at-risk an special needs programs.
The district receives about $400,000 for the two programs, which Woodall said he hopes will continue in the coming fiscal year, which officially begins on July 1.
Giffords office said there has been funding set aside specifically for the Title I program, which aids schools with a high population of poverty-stricken students.
In Giffords' district, 35 school districts qualify for the program, including Benson.
According to Giffords' office, the federal legislation also sets aside $194 million to support and restore educational services to special needs children. Many of these programs have been cut over the last year due to the state's budget shortfalls.
"The economic crisis confronting our nation is severe," Giffords said. "We need targeted short-term measures to jumpstart our economy and strategic long-term that lay a solid foundation for future prosperity. Let there be no doubt that we are aiming toward both those goals by investing in our children."
Baker stressed that the stimulus plan still has to be sorted out before anything is definite.
"I cannot emphasize enough how much is unknown and undefined," he said. "That said, we are watching carefully and studying the situation closely, choosing to act on the information we have, rather than simply sitting and waiting."
Baker said Arizona Governor Janet Brewer does have roughly $180 million to spend as she sees fit. The Arizona Department of Education has suggested that she spend $100 million to protect teaching positions, and that some of that money go toward technology and digital instruction programs.
Baker recommended that teachers and parents start emailing Governor Brewer and tell her how the $180 million should be spent.
Woodall said it's tough for rural school districts as they start planning for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, they will have to wait until Arizona lawmakers sort out the stimulus package.
Benson School Superintendent David Woodall said while Congress is saying $1.4 billion will go to Arizona School Districts, it is still too early to know what that means to the Benson School District.
"Hopefully in the next three to four weeks this will be clarified," Woodall said. "In general, we expect the state to move forward with some cuts to education."
However, Woodall said as part of the requirements specified by the federal government, in order for Arizona to qualify for the education funding, which is a major part of the $827 billion American Recovery Reinvestment Act approved last month, the budget cannot be cut below 2005-06 levels. If cuts are made below those levels, then a portion of the stimulus funds must be used as back-fill, or the budgets must be returned to current spending levels.
"Is there enough money to totally backfill cuts? No one seems to know," Woodall said.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, D-District 8, said earlier this month that Arizona would receive up to $1.4 billion in federal stimulus funding for the cash-strapped school districts across the state.
"This stimulus funding could not come at a more critical time," Giffords said. "Schools across our state are facing the prospect of severe budget cuts that could significantly impair their ability to prepare the next generation of Arizonans for the challenges of the 21st century. These much-needed federal dollars will help avert teacher layoffs and the reduction of elimination of valuable programs that our children need."
Calvin Baker, president of the Arizona Superintendent's Association, said the stimulus package is long, detailed and highly complex. The regulations and grant applications, which have not all been written, will contain far more details and intricacies.
"There is roughly $800 million that is being applied to backfill Arizona's shortfall in education funding," Baker said in a March 26 letter. "States that are able to use their governor's portion to retain education funding at current levels and still have money left over, can use those extra funds to do other things. Arizona's Legislature is proposing to cut funding for education so significantly that we will not even come close to having any leftover funds."
It has been a stressful few months for school administrators across the state, especially in Cochise County, as they look at how to handle proposed cuts. Arizona lawmakers have said education makes up a large percentage of the state's overall budget, and with a $3 billion deficit, cuts have to be made.
Even with stimulus funds being promised, educators remain nervous. The state budget cuts being proposed for the 2010 fiscal year are steep, and Benson is looking at a $1 million loss.
For many districts, the biggest worry is layoffs. The Sierra Vista School District is already taking action. In a 3-2 vote last week, the county's largest school district approved the first phase of cuts.
School administrators said besides losing bond funds for the upcoming year, the state's cuts could result in a $1.5 million shortfall.
Besides layoffs, the Sierra Vista School District also looked at cutting the middle school athletics program.
Woodall said it is also unknown if the district will receive federal funds for the Title I and IDEA program, which were established to provide funding for at-risk an special needs programs.
The district receives about $400,000 for the two programs, which Woodall said he hopes will continue in the coming fiscal year, which officially begins on July 1.
Giffords office said there has been funding set aside specifically for the Title I program, which aids schools with a high population of poverty-stricken students.
In Giffords' district, 35 school districts qualify for the program, including Benson.
According to Giffords' office, the federal legislation also sets aside $194 million to support and restore educational services to special needs children. Many of these programs have been cut over the last year due to the state's budget shortfalls.
"The economic crisis confronting our nation is severe," Giffords said. "We need targeted short-term measures to jumpstart our economy and strategic long-term that lay a solid foundation for future prosperity. Let there be no doubt that we are aiming toward both those goals by investing in our children."
Baker stressed that the stimulus plan still has to be sorted out before anything is definite.
"I cannot emphasize enough how much is unknown and undefined," he said. "That said, we are watching carefully and studying the situation closely, choosing to act on the information we have, rather than simply sitting and waiting."
Baker said Arizona Governor Janet Brewer does have roughly $180 million to spend as she sees fit. The Arizona Department of Education has suggested that she spend $100 million to protect teaching positions, and that some of that money go toward technology and digital instruction programs.
Baker recommended that teachers and parents start emailing Governor Brewer and tell her how the $180 million should be spent.
Woodall said it's tough for rural school districts as they start planning for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, they will have to wait until Arizona lawmakers sort out the stimulus package.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
JaredV wrote on Apr 2, 2009 8:26 AM:
This is a very important time for the Mayor and all representatives of Benson to be as tranparent as possible to reassure the citizens that their elected officals are acting in the best interests.
My biggest concern is the City has not publicly released it's plans (budgets / forecasts) for July 2009 to June 2010. What IF that money doesn't come in as expected? then what is plan B?
I certainly hope the city adjusts correctly based on the population because looking at the Jul 08 to June 09 budgets.... I was not convinced they have adequately planned for anything.
If you plan for the worst possible scenario it can only get better. "