Stimulus Funds for Local Schools

For Immediate Release Contact: Julie Johnson Thompson
April 21, 2009 (501) 683-4786/(501) 766-7976
julie.thompson@arkansas.gov
LITTLE ROCK: The allocated amounts of American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds available to each of the state’s public school districts, charter schools and educational cooperatives are now listed on the Arkansas Recovery Web site, www.recovery.arkansas.gov. (It is hard to find from the main site here is a better link http://recovery.arkansas.gov/ade/ade_index.html, scroll down toward the bottom to find public ed allocations)
The Arkansas Recovery Web site will serve as a "one-stop shop" for recovery information. In addition to the allocation amounts, educational resources include federal and state guidance, frequently asked questions, and ideas for how to spend funds in the best interest of students. Information will be updated as needed.
According to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, any reductions in funding for 2009-2011 must be restored before funding can be released to local education agencies. Because of budget reductions, institutions of higher education did not receive the full funding increase approved by the Legislature in 2007. Therefore, $21.9 million dollars will be restored to colleges and universities over the next three fiscal years. This will be funded from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF).
On the Web site are spreadsheets containing each local education agency’s allocation for ARRA Title I Part A, IDEA Part B State Grant, IDEA Part B Preschool Grant and the SFSF. These funds shall be spent in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Also on the Web site is a Statement of Assurance for local education agencies. Each superintendent, charter school director or educational cooperative director (if receiving IDEA Part B Preschool funds) and each local education agency business manager must sign this document. The Statement of Assurance may be sent to the Arkansas Department of Education at any time; however it must be received before any funds are disbursed to the local education agency.
For general questions regarding the ARRA, the Arkansas Recovery Hotline may be called at 1-877-682-1515. For questions regarding K-12 education-related stimulus funding, school personnel may contact Heather Gage at the Arkansas Department of Education (heather.gage@arkansas.gov) at 501-682-3667. Questions regarding higher education ARRA funding should be directed to Dr. Stanley Williams (stanleyw@adhe.edu) at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education at 501-371-2026. Another source of information about all Arkansas ARRA monies is Chris Masingill with the Arkansas Recovery Office of the Governor (chris.masingill@governor.arkansas.gov) at 501-683-6424.