Economic Stimulus & Powering Through the Recession View all upcoming webinars: Sponsored by: Gerald Herbert/AP

Spotlight on the Stimulus 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!

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

Our Moderator: Mark Bomster Assistant Managing Editor, Education Week

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

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

Total Stimulus: $787 billion Education Piece $115 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

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

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

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

Q: Has there been any clarification as to whether federal money will be available for independent schools? Stimulus Q & A Q: Is there anything in the stimulus package to help charter 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? Find answers to these and more questions at:

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

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 Changes School Districts Have Implemented to Manage Budgets

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.

Further information and links from the NSBA regarding the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act can be found at: NSBA Resources

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