Economic Stimulus & Powering Through the Recession Sponsored by: Gerald Herbert/AP View all upcoming webinars: www.edweek.org/go/webinar

Spotlight on the Stimulus Buy now! Education Week's Spotlight on the Stimulus brings together the latest information and analysis on the federal economic-stimulus package. Don’t miss what the stimulus package will mean for the nation’s schools and for you. Buy now!  www.edweek.org/go/stimulus-pdf

Schools & the Stimulus Updated daily: For the very latest stories, blog posts, interactive graphics, and commentaries on the stimulus and education, visit the School & the Stimulus news page. Updated daily:  www.edweek.org/go/stimulus

Our Moderator: Mark Bomster Assistant Managing Editor, Education Week

Our Guests: Michael Casserly Executive Director of the Council of the Great City Schools Joseph Conaty Acting Assistant Secretary, Elementary & Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education Deborah Rigsby Director of Federal Legislation for the National School Boards Association

Total Stimulus: $787 billion Stimulus by the Numbers Education Piece: $115 billion Total Stimulus: $787 billion

Total Stimulus: $787 billion Stimulus by the Numbers State aid for schools/ critical needs $53.6 billion Pell Grants $15.6 billion Higher education tax credit, over 10 years $13.9 billion Title I $13 billion Special education $12.2 billion Other Education Piece $115 billion Total Stimulus: $787 billion

Stimulus by the Numbers State aid for schools/ critical needs $53.6 billion SOURCE: Education Week

Stimulus by the Numbers Pell Grants $15.6 billion Higher education tax credit, over 10 years $13.9 billion

Stimulus by the Numbers Title I $13 billion Special education $12.2 billion

Stimulus by the Numbers Teacher quality $400 million Vocational rehabilitation $680 million Technology $900 million Child-care development $2 billion Head Start $2.1 billion

Stimulus by the Numbers Other $250 million $370 million Including: Education of homeless students $70 million Impact aid $100 million Work-study $200 million

Stimulus Q & A www.edweek.org/go/stimqa Q: Has there been any clarification as to whether federal money will be available for independent schools?   Q: Regarding special education, do you know of any accommodations for “maintenance of effort” that would allow districts to use the money to pay for programs that already exist? Q: Is there anything in the stimulus package to help charter schools? Find answers to these and more questions at: www.edweek.org/go/stimqa

Slides from NSBA Deborah Rigsby Director of Federal Legislation for the National School Boards Association

Changes School Districts Have Implemented to Manage Budgets * Reduction of bus routes * Reduction of thermostats * Froze vacant positions; froze most discretionary spending * Deferred maintenance projects * Reduction in planned expenses for renovations and technology * Elimination of elective classes; larger class sizes * Reduced general fund budget by $782,000 * Decreased instructional supply and equipment spending

Changes School Districts Have Implemented to Manage Budgets Cut back on field trips by 30% Salary freezes Re-negotiated purchase contracts Consolidated buildings; reduced staff based on closed buildings Technology support staff cuts; longer technology replacement cycles Eliminated $750,000 over a four-year period in anticipation of flat-line funding from state Cut back on extracurricular activities

Economic Stimulus Funding: What School Districts Considering What are the greatest areas of need? How can the economic stimulus funding be used to build longer-term capacity for student achievement/school performance? What programs/innovations can be implemented quickly?

Plans to Use Stimulus Funds Add a Title I Math Program; hire additional personnel to staff Building renovations Modernize classroom technology and mechanical systems Hire literacy/math coaches Purchase Smart Boards All-day kindergarten

What kinds of budget cuts can schools avoid now? Educational technology Additional staff cuts – Title I and IDEA personnel Electives Transportation Textbook purchases Classroom intervention programs Afterschool and summer school programs Professional development Library resources

School Modernization Expansion of preschool and school buildings; Additions of classrooms/spaces to accommodate growth/overcrowding; Repairs for roofing, classrooms, playgrounds, parking lots, plumbing, electrical wiring, restrooms, maintenance facilities, etc.;

School Modernization Needs Purchasing and repairing technology facilities/equipment; Building/modernizing energy efficient/green energy facilities; and Improving security/safety projects (including asbestos abatement and fire and building safety needs).

Economic Impact on School Infrastructure Projects Insufficient state funds/lack of state matching funds; Having to redirect capital improvement funds to other needs for priority operating expenses; Decline in local revenues as economy slows; Difficulty in raising additional revenues/local taxes due to sagging economy; Difficulty in passing school bonds to finance needed projects; Difficulty in selling voter-approved bonds because challenges impacting the financial services industry;

Economic Impact on School Infrastructure Projects Loss of investment funds; Difficulty in borrowing due to credit crunch; Increases in costs of construction materials, such as steel and copper; and Dwindling of business donations, grants, and other sources of support.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act NSBA Resources Further information and links from the NSBA regarding the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act can be found at:    www.nsba.org/economicstimulus

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