American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) a.k.a. The Stimulus Money Joe Hill, RCPS

Goals of the ARRA To stimulate the economy in the short term Invest in education and other essential public services to ensure the long-term economic health of our nation.

Guiding principles of the ARRA stimulus funds 1.must be spent quickly to save and create jobs; 2.should be used to improve student achievement through school improvement and reform; 3.will be subject to additional and more rigorous reporting requirements than normally apply to grant recipients; and 4.are available for only two to three years and should be invested in ways that do not result in unsustainable continuing commitments after the funding expires.

ARRA Stimulus Funds will come to us in at least six categories Title I, Part A Funds Title II, Part D Funds IDEA Funds Stabilization Funds Competitive Grants Equipment Assistance Grants for School Nutrition ProgramsEquipment Assistance Grants for School Nutrition Programs RCPS Administrators Ideas for Stimulus Funds

Title I, Part A Funds Purpose of program: Ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. Must be used according to the statutory and regulatory provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 For schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards Funds should create an opportunity for educators to implement innovative strategies in Title I schools that improve education for at-risk students and close achievement gaps These funds must supplement, not supplant funds from nonfederal sources

Examples of allowable uses of Title I, Part A Funds Expanding Title I early-childhood education programs Developing core infrastructure in technology in Title I programs, including obtaining software and equipment and providing teacher training in the use of technology

More examples of allowable uses of Title I, Part A Funds Using longitudinal data systems to drive continuous improvement efforts focused on achievement in Title I schools and training teachers in Title I schools on the use of data to inform and improve instruction. Using reading or math coaches to provide professional development for teachers in Title I schools. Establishing or expanding extended-learning activities for Title I-eligible students

Title I, Part A Funds in RCPS Approximately $1,000,000 new money to RCPS for RCPS plans to –establish Title I Pre-School program(s) –expand reading/math services –purchase reading/math supplemental materials –provide professional development for teachers Administered by Nancy Lantz

Title II, Part D Funds Purpose: to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools. Title II Part D Goals: –To improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools. –To assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade –To encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems with teacher training and curriculum development.

Title II, Part D in RCPS $38,963 new money to RCPS - nearly 3x current allocation Historically, RCPS has used these funds to pay for Ed Tech courses through JMU and EMU The additional funding will enable us to offer technology integration classes next fall and the following spring at no cost to teachers Administered by Joe Hill

IDEA Funds Part B of IDEA provides funds to school divisions and states to ensure that children with disabilities, including children aged three through five, have access to a free appropriate public education that meets their individual needs and prepares them for further education or training, employment and independent living. Purpose: To provide assistance with the excess costs of educating children with disabilities. Must be used according to the statutory and regulatory provisions of IDEA. These funds must supplement, not supplant funds from nonfederal sources

Examples of allowable uses of IDEA Funds Obtaining state-of-the-art assistive technology devices, and training in their use, to enhance access of students with disabilities to the general curriculum Intensive district-wide professional development for special education and regular education teachers Improving capacity for collecting and using data to improve teaching and learning Purchasing buses for special education students Expanding inclusive placement options for preschool children with disabilities by developing the capacity of public and private preschool programs to serve them

IDEA in RCPS Approximately $2,800,000 new money to RCPS RCPS plans to: –Purchase eight Special Education buses –Purchase assistive technology for SPED classrooms –Provide inservice training for teachers Administered by Scott Hand

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) Funds awarded to governors in exchange for a commitment to –advance essential education reforms to benefit students from early learning through post-secondary education, including: college- and career- ready standards and high-quality, valid and reliable assessments for all students; –development and use of pre-K through post-secondary and career data systems; –increasing teacher effectiveness and ensuring an equitable distribution of qualified teachers; –turning around the lowest-performing schools.

State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) May be used for modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities May be used for any activity authorized under the –Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) –Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) –Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act –Adult Education and Family Literacy Act May be used to pay salaries to avoid having to lay off teachers and other school employees

SFSF Funds cannot be used for: maintenance costs; stadiums or other facilities used primarily for athletic contests or other exhibitions or other events for which admission is charged to the general public; the purchase or upgrade of vehicles; or the improvement of stand-alone facilities whose purpose is not the education of children (such as County Office Buildings)

More on SFSF Funds The supplement not supplant provision does not apply School divisions have more freedom with these funds than with the other ARRA funds

SFSF in RCPS RCPS will receive $4,020,412 in SFSF funds in –Our budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors included $1,288,306 of these funds be used for operating expenses –The remaining $2,732,106 is uncommitted at this time Administered by Cheryl Mast

Competitive Grants will be made available in fall 2009 Race to the Top –intended to improve student achievement by supporting states that are making dramatic progress and effectively using other ARRA funds. –funds will be made in fall 2009 and spring 2010 Invest in What Works –Guidelines and applications posted when available.

Equipment Assistance Grants for School Nutrition Programs Competitive Application Process Application Deadline – Grant Applications must be received by 3 pm on Monday, May 11, School divisions will be notified no later than June 8, 2009, if a grant is awarded. Spending Deadline – School divisions must have the ability to obligate and/or spend the money within three months of receipt and no later than September 30, Virginia will distribute a one-time appropriation of $1,871,114 among school divisions participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Focus of Equipment Assistance Grants for School Nutrition Programs Focus 1: Equipment that improves the quality of school nutrition meals in ways that support the dietary guidelines (e.g., purchasing an equipment alternative to a deep fryer). Focus 2: Equipment that improves the safety of food served in the school nutrition programs (e.g., cold/hot holding equipment, dishwashing equipment, refrigeration, milk coolers, freezers, blast chillers, etc.). Focus 3: Equipment that improves the overall energy efficiency of the school nutrition operations (e.g., purchase of an energy- efficient walk-in freezer replacing an outdated, energy- demanding freezer). Focus 4: Equipment that supports expanded participation in school nutrition programs (e.g., equipment for serving meals in a nontraditional setting or to better utilize cafeteria space).

Equipment Assistance Grants for School Nutrition Programs in RCPS RCPS has already applied for $13,000 in funds If approved, these funds will be used to purchase an oven for PVES Administered by Gerald Lehman

Stimulus Fund ideas submitted by RCPS administrators Many suggestions have been received from RCPS administrators about stimulus funds. Those ideas include: –Technology items –Renovation items –Curriculum/materials items –Program items –Staff development items

Questions??