Thursday, December 2, 2010

Is the State Playing Games with the Federal Dollars for this School Year?

Everyone who has been paying attention can see that there are some games happening with the finalizing of the federal Edujobs dollars for this school year's budget.  Unlike the bullying bill, the budget bill appears to be at the top of the docket for this week and through Tuesday next week as the lame duck session closes before the holidays. 

Our schools were promised these federal dollars which should replace the cuts that happened last year.  During this current session, our legislators have not gotten the job done to apply those cuts and the schools still have not seen the federal dollars. 

Also, the expenses for school districts to meet the new requirements that were placed into law in order to compete for Race to the Top will be a burden on all school districts without further financial help from the State.  Michigan did not win the Race to the Top but our school districts are obligated by law to meet the requirements.

Please write to Seator Jansen and Representative Hildenbrand and request that they get the federal dollars to the schools.  Also, ask that they consider the financial burden meeting the requirements to Race to the Top will have on the districts.

See some examples below that can be cut and pasted using your email.  The addresses are next to this post.  Thank you for your consideration.

Lucy Lafleur

Dear Senator Jansen--

I have been following the budget negotiations carefully and am aware that the federal Edujobs dollars have not yet been released to the schools.  I also am aware that the negotiations have to do with funding the requirements for the Race to the Top legislation.  Our schools received severe cuts last year and they are surviving on this reduced budget although federal dollars have been promised.  During this last push before the holidays, please release the federal dollars to the schools and carefully consider how the Race to the Top requirements are a financial burden on schools.  We are counting on you to represent your consituents who are very concerned about public education.

Sincerely,

Dear Representative Hildenbrand--

I have been following the budget negotiations carefully and am aware that the federal Edujobs dollars have not yet been released to the schools. I also am aware that the negotiations have to do with funding the requirements for the Race to the Top legislation. Our schools received severe cuts last year and they are surviving on this reduced budget although federal dollars have been promised. During this last push before the holidays, please release the federal dollars to the schools and carefully consider how the Race to the Top requirements are a financial burden on schools. We are counting on you to represent your consituents who are very concerned about public education.


Sincerely,