Some southeastern Ohio school districts might see an influx in cash from the $787 billion stimulus package passed last week, earmarked to help schools with low income and disabled students.
Ohio is receiving about $8.2 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. $981 million is allocated to state education with nearly $1 million estimated going toward the Athens City School District and $1.3 million estimated going to Meigs Local School District, according to Committee on Education and Labor Web site.
Athens City School District was given $341,000 for Title I funds to help economically disadvantaged students and $595,000 for IDEA funds to assist students with disabilities. The total funds estimate is about $936,000.
While money has been allocated at a federal level, Carl Martin, superintendent of Athens City School District, said he doesn't know when the district will receive the money or how it will be spent.
I think it's a significant sum of money
but we will see what the (federal) guidelines are said Martin adding that the guidelines have not been announced yet.
Meigs Local County School District is estimated to receive a bit more with $810,000 in Title I funding and $501,000 in IDEA funds totaling $1,311,000.
Bill Buckley, superintended of Meigs Local School District in Pomeroy, wrote in an e-mail that stimulus package is about hope and the district receives the money before the banks and auto makers get theirs because there won't be much left.
I hope to know how we are to spend the money to stimulate the economy and improve education at the same time Buckley said.
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Jordan Valinsky
