Superintendents welcome stimulus money (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)
April 3, 2009
By Adam Wise
Daily Tribune Staff
Federal stimulus funds are on their way to local schools, and district leaders think the money will help -- in the short term.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, announced 371 Wisconsin school districts will receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money to use for Title I programs.
Long heralded by many local school administrators as a needed financial boost, though hardly a cure-all, the dollars will be used to supplement literacy program funding for students from low-income homes.
"It's great news, but it's only for one or two years," Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Bob Crist said. "You can't put a huge program in place and then not be able to substantiate that in two years, so you have to be somewhat cautious on how you spend the funds.
"There will be a lot of planning with staff to spend it as wisely as possible."
Crist's district will receive $538,873, Feingold's office reported. Other local school districts receiving money are: Adams-Friendship Area ($331,984), Nekoosa ($131,210), Pittsville ($79,636), and Port Edwards ($42,473).
Nekoosa Public Schools Superintendent Wayne Johnson said that since Title I costs the district more than it receives from the federal government, the stimulus will help balance out the program expenses.
"Every little bit helps," Johnson said. "And we did do some (staff) reductions; we were counting on some of this money, and we would've had to make more reductions (without it), so it's good news that it's coming, and it's certainly going to help."
In March, the Nekoosa School Board approved the reduction of 1.3 full-time equivalent teachers in the district. The board considered cutting numerous other positions, but it decided those changes weren't necessary this year.
Crist said he still isn't sure the federal money will have the full intended effect, because the state, which hasn't completed its budget process, could still cut funds it provides for Title I programs.
"If that's the case, then (the stimulus money) would replace those funds," Crist said. "If it's to supplement, then we could do whatever we can to embellish reading."
