Friday, August 20, 2010

Likely results of ECS or Title I funding distribution

The last-minute school funding bill was discussed at tonight's BOE meeting. According to Dr. Florio, if Governor Rell chooses to use the ECS formula to distribute the $110 million of funds, Cheshire Public Schools would probably receive about $540,000. However if Governor Rell uses Title I to distribute CTs share of the $26 billion package, Cheshire will likely receive less than $100,000.

Tim White

3 comments:

Tony Perugini said...

Worth noting is that, while the BOE would need a discussion on any funds received from the stimulus, Dr. Florio would rather use the funds in year 2 (2011-2012) to help narrow the $4M education budget gap. He stated this evening that the current budget is set, classrooms are set and by the time money arrives (if) it'll be late October at best.

Anonymous said...

The town, state and nation needs to stop careening from bailout to bailout

Anonymous said...

For clarification this was text of communication sent to Cheshire today. The town will be receiving 543,709 which can be used this year and held over for next year subject to restrictions stated below.

Tim Slocum

INFO FROM STATE:
Connecticut is scheduled to receive approximately $110 million from the federal Education Jobs Fund (Ed Jobs) Program, which was recently passed. The funds provide assistance to local education agencies (LEA) to save or create education jobs in the 2010-11 school year. Jobs funded under this program include those that provide educational and related services for early childhood, elementary, and secondary education.



Below are some details on the funding.



· The funds are available for obligations that occur as of August 10, 2010 (the date of enactment of the Act). A LEA that has funds remaining after the 2010-2011 school year may use those remaining funds through September 30, 2012.

· LEAs will not be required to apply to the State Department of Education for the funds, and each municipality’s share will be sent directly to the school district, or a municipal account designated for the school district. Each district will be charged with documenting the uses of the dollars in a separate account.

· Municipalities may not appropriate any of the Ed Jobs Program funds for municipal expenses. Unlike with the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund included in the ECS grant, the Ed Jobs funding will not impact a district’s minimum budget requirement.

· The Education Jobs Fund requires that school districts use the funds to pay the salaries and benefits of teachers, school administrators, and other essential staff. The funds can be used to recall or rehire former employees, retain existing employees, and hire new employees. The funds may not be used for general administrative expenses, overhead, or other support services by school districts.



The Governor has elected to allocate these funds based on a district’s relative share of the town’s Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant. Attached are the preliminary amounts of the grants.