Mar 19, 2009 5:53 pm US/Eastern
Patrick: Use $168M Of Stimulus Money For Schools
Money Could Help Save Teacher Jobs
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (File Image)
WBZ
Gov. Deval Patrick wants to use $168 million in federal stimulus money to ensure all Massachusetts communities meet their "foundation spending levels" next school year – a move that will help districts avoid teacher layoffs and difficult budget decisions.
The plan will help 166 districts.
WHAT DOES 'FOUNDATION SPENDING LEVELS' MEAN?
Foundation budgets were set up by the state in the 1990s. The budgets set a minimum funding threshold districts must meet so that students receive a "fair and adequate" education. "Second graders only get one chance at second grade. Thanks to these federal recovery funds, we can give our students the education they deserve and avoid short changing their future," said Patrick.
RECESSION HURTING SCHOOL BUDGETS
The Governor protected education funding from cuts in his Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal, maintaining the current allocation of $3.984 billion. However, due to a historic drop-off in state revenue collections brought on by the recession, level-funding education aid still prevented 166 districts from reaching foundation spending levels.
Town-by-town breakdown of money needed to reach foundation spending levels.
PATRICK'S PLAN WOULD HELP SCHOOL BUDGETS
Approval of Patrick's plan to allocate part of the
$1.88 billion in stimulus money for education programs from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will guarantee that each district will reach its foundation level funding.
"It is vitally important that we apply the federal stabilization funds to restore adequate operating budgets at the elementary and secondary education levels," said Education Secretary Reville. "We have made much progress on education reform initiatives and our students are achieving at higher levels every year. These funds will allow us to continue to build on our success and more fully prepare all students to reach their full potential."
In all, Patrick is estimating the state will receive about $8.7 billion in federal stimulus aid.
Patrick made the announcement at the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham on Thursday. He chose that town because Framingham is one of the districts at risk of falling below their foundation level funding in 2010.
If the governor's plan is approved, the town would get an additional $3.5 million for education.
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