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Gov. Assures Congress about Education Stimulus
on April 9, 2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to calm California congressional delegates' fears about education funding in a letter, stating that the state would not use federal stimulus dollars to ease its budget problems.
He said that the money would go straight to local education agencies, but some educators aren't so sure that will happen, including Matt Hill of the Los Angeles Unified School District, reported the Los Angeles Times. He thinks that the state might cut its education spending and replace that money with the federal funds rather than holding off on cuts.
"The federal government has stepped up and invested in education," Hill said. "California's government needs to do the same thing."
California has $8 billion coming from the Education Department, of which $3.1 billion goes toward stabilizing the state budget, which the governor has to apply for. The cash-strapped state has already cut California school and community college budgets by $7.4 billion this year and plans to cut $3.2 billion more next year.
Still, relief is on the way. Education Secretary Arne Duncan released the first round of funding April 1, and California will grab $562 million for needy students and $634 million for special education.
However, this doesn't assuage district deputy superintendent's such as Ron Lebs. He's going to wait to see whether the Capistrano Unified School District in Orange County actually receives the money before he adds it into his budget.
"When I have the check, I'll count it," Lebs said, "but not until then."
For the complete story, visit the Los Angeles Times.
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