Posted on 07/01/2009 6:41:35 AM PDT by laotzu
When the federal government started dangling billions of stimulus dollars for education in front of states, many snapped up the money right away.
By now, the last day to request stabilization funds, all but one state has submitted an application.
That one is Texas.
“We haven't received Texas' application yet, but we are hoping they will submit one,” Elaine Quesinberry, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Education, said late Tuesday.
Texas anticipates receiving more than $3 billion in stabilization funds, the largest appropriation. It's money that can be used to turn around failing schools, create student assessments or develop data systems.
Most states have not only applied for the funds, but had their requests approved.
“We are working on it and we will have it in by the deadline,” Allison Castle, a spokeswoman in Gov. Rick Perry's office, said Tuesday of the state's application.
In California, the first state to apply, money has already been distributed to local school districts, said a spokeswoman for the state's department of education.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan had pressed states to pick up the pace several weeks ago.
“We have an urgent need to reform our schools and prevent teacher layoffs,” he said May 18. “The Department is turning around applications within nine days on average. States that have not yet applied need to do so now.”
Quesinberry said she wasn't sure what would happen should Texas blow the deadline.
“They have until 4:30 p.m. Eastern,” she said. “We're just hoping and expecting that they will submit it.”
Northside Independent School District Superintendent John Folks said he was confident Perry would make the deadline.
“Why he waits until the last day, I can't answer that question,” Folks said.
He remains miffed, however, by state lawmakers' decision to award raises to teachers and some other employees using stabilization funds.
“They supplanted the state budget instead of supplementing the state budget,” Folks said, adding that he was concerned about what will happen to the raises once stimulus dollars dry up.
“Is the state going to step up and fund the money for these salaries?” Folks said. “I'm concerned about it, I think every superintendent in Texas is concerned about it.”
Worried that the federal funds may not materialize, some districts have passed one compensation package that includes the extra money and a contingency plan that does not.
“We fully expected that we'd start the school year without any answers,” said Deb Caldwell, a spokeswoman for North East Independent School District, which planned for both scenarios.
Quesinberry said Tuesday that at least a portion of the stabilization money — called the Government Services Fund — could be used for salary increases.
According to a Texas Education Agency breakdown, more than 80 percent of the money Texas anticipates receiving falls outside that category, however, and Duncan has cautioned against using stimulus money to replace state spending on education.
“It’s money that can be used to turn around failing schools, create student assessments or develop data systems.”
How many times have we heard that one?
Just say no.....to Federal control.
Damn I love Texas.
Good on Texas! The federal octopus is still trying though!
Good on Texas! The federal octopus is still trying though!
I went to school in Garland, north of Dallas. My school, and school district were just fine. So was Plano and Richardson. It’s not the schools that are bad, its the environment around them. When communities bad mouth school and bad mouth achievement, the people in those communities wont try. No amount of money will make constant victims any better.
“In California, the first state to apply, money has already been distributed to local school districts, said a spokeswoman for the state’s department of education. “
And they are still bankrupt.
We live in insane times. I’m just glad we have a little sanity here in Texas. Albeit, just a tad.
“Why he waits until the last day, I can’t answer that question,” Folks said.”
Perhaps Perry is the only governor reading the ‘fine print’ before he signs anything!
Meanwhile.....our democrat congress never reads the bills that they sign.
What we have is a bunch of expensive goof-offs who can't control anything but their parents---IF they have parents!
I hear ya.
I see that you froze your huevos off in Korea. Thank you for that.
You may miss some of that as Texas has been in triple-digit temps for the last three+ weeks.
I'm looking forward to some sun and warmth!
Let’s hope Perry can resist!
I don’t have much, he will give in and take the money.
Too tempting, that much money, even with all the strings attached.
When does the Tx legislature go back into session?
The reason Texas hasn't applied is because of the stimulus money for roads and the special session is about roads.
Texas decides to remain independent of Hussein’s dictatorship in DC!
Today—I think...for 3 days.
Perry. the former democrat has no intention of resisting. I'm sure He'll find a way to funnel some of that money to hos spanish friends.
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