Schools mull stimulus

Tri-parish school districts received over $20.5 million for special needs and socio-economically disadvantaged students from the federal economic stimulus bill this month.

Now comes the task of deciding how to spend the money.

Because the funds come from Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants, school districts are limited in how they can use the money.

While details are still being worked out, school officials have a general idea of where they would like the money to go.

“We are going to address lower-achieving students and schools and attracting certified and highly-qualified teachers,” said Philip Martin, Terrebonne Parish schools superintendent. “Those are the centerpieces of President Obama’s Five Pillars of Education.”

Lafourche Parish Public Schools spokesman Floyd Benoit said, “Mostly, it will go toward instructional materials like supplies and reading programs to have an impact in the classroom. Superintendent (Joanne) Matthews and curriculum supervisors are developing different proposals on how to spend the remainder.”

Another purpose of the stimulus money is to replace lost Louisiana Department of Education funding.

“The state cut all money for remediation and tutoring,” said Dr. David Aguillard, St. Mary Parish schools superintendent. “We typically get about $250,000 for that, so we’re using the stimulus money to offset those cuts.”

“We’re also expanding a number of instructional initiatives to address low-performing schools and close achievement gaps,” he added. “We’re also providing new and enhanced instructional programs for students.”

In total, Terrebonne will get just over $9 million, Lafourche over $6.5 million, and St. Mary about $4.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

About $4.9 million in Title I and over $5.3 million in IDEA funds were released on April 1 to the school districts.

The remainder will be sent in the fall.

The stimulus funding has another goal, which is to save education-related jobs that school districts have considered eliminating.

“There are jobs that will continue to exist only because of this funding,” Martin said. “We are right in the middle of the budget process, so it’s still premature to identify. We know there are budget issues that could result in funding being eliminated for some jobs, so this money will replace it.”

So far, only Aguillard has some specific programs where he hopes to use the stimulus money.

He wants to spend $250,000 on the Voyager Passport reading intervention program, which targets first through fifth graders; $300,000 for the fluency portion of Fast ForWord called Reading Assistance; and another $300,000 to continue extended day scheduling, which adds an extra hour to the school day for sixth and seventh graders in jeopardy of failing.

With school districts looking at significant cuts as the legislative session begins this week, the millions in federal aid is seen as a life preserver.

“The stimulus money is all the new money that parishes are looking forward to getting,” Aguillard said. “State money is going to get tighter. We’re just fortunate the stimulus money is here to help us continue to improve instruction.”