Local schools to benefit from stimulus package

Abbey Woodcock 03/02/09

With Upstate New York school districts facing historic budget deficits as the national economy continues to decline, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced last week the school district by school district breakdown of the nearly $1.7 billion in direct education funding New York schools will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Schumer said that the Obama economic recovery package will send $4.7 billion in additional education and other aid to New York State schools. New York schools will directly receive $1.7 billion in additional funding. The remainder of the aid will go into an education stabilization fund for the state to restore state cuts to education.

Schumer said this funding will restore nearly all of New York’s education cuts this year, while boosting local school districts with funds they need as they face historic budget gaps. This comes in the wake of Governor David Paterson’s proposed state aid cuts for schools, announced in December. Oneida City Schools will receive $861,961 from the stimulus after the proposed $1,054,612 or 5.29 percent reduction in state aid for the district. Vernon Verona Sherrill will receive $677,332 after looking to lose $878,124 or 5.19 percent from the state.

Faring the best in the area is Stockbridge Valley Central Schools. The district, under the governor’s proposed budget was only projected to lost .49 percent or $29,238. The school will receive five times that from the federal stimulus or $160,757.

The state numbers have not been finalized yet, so districts will not know where they state with state funding until the budget is passed in Albany. The budget deadline for the state is April 1 and school boards must put their budget up for vote on May 19.

“The stimulus package will be a big boost to Upstate New York schools, students and taxpayers. We could not afford to risk the quality of education New York students receive by laying off teachers and slashing academic programs. This funding will make sure New York schools have the resources they need to continue to make the grade,” Schumer said.
Central New York schools on the whole will receive $37 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $25 million in Title I grants for a total of $62 million in direct school aid with Madison County districts receiving $3,587,135 in school aid. Oneida County districts will receive a total of $17,501,454.

For the school by school breakdown in the counties, region and state,click here.

Direct Education Aid
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that the economic stimulus package will include nearly $22 billion in direct education aid through the Title I and Special Education/ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) federal formulas nationwide. Upstate New York is estimated to receive a total of approximately $320 million in new funding for Special Education and approximately $176 million in Title I grants, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Department of Education respectively, for a total of $496 million in new direct funding to Upstate New York schools. This funding will give New York’s school districts the flexibility and tools they need to keep serving and educating our children.

Here is how the funding will break down across the rest of the state:
Capital Region schools will receive an additional $36 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $14 million in Title I grants for a total of $50 million in direct school aid.
Hudson Valleyschools will receive an additional $94 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $37 million in Title I grants for a total of $131 million in direct school aid.
North Country schools will receive an additional $21 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $11 million in Title I grants for a total of $31 million in direct school aid.
Rochester-Finger Lakes schools will receive an additional $48 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $32 million in Title I grants for a total of $79 million in direct school aid.
Southern Tier schools will receive an additional $24 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $13 million in Title I grants for a total of $38 million in direct school aid.
Western New York schools will receive an additional $58 million in Special Education/IDEA funding and $44 million in Title I grants for a total of $102 million in direct school aid.

Stabilization Fund
Schumer said that in addition to direct-to-school-aid, New York State will receive an additional $3 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds for additional assistance for local school districts and other high-priority needs. This additional funding is designed to reverse cuts in state education aid and prevent cuts in other vital services and needs such as public safety.

Schumer pushed for a robust amount of funding to go directly to Upstate New York school districts to give them an additional boost. He also pushed to ensure that the state received billions in additional funding to close the state’s education budget gaps.

The economic recovery package was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17. Schumer said that the money will start flowing very quickly to the states, noting that Obama recently released millions of dollars in Medicaid funds.

For more information about how your local school is affected, check out next week's state budget special section in your local Eagle Publication.

CATEGORY: General Education
TAGS: education, stimulus, schumer, obama, oneida
EDITION: Oneida Press