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| Facing the Stimulus Challenge |
| Editorial - Education Stimulus Package | |
| Tuesday, 10 March 2009 16:12 | |
 Dear Educators, This section of HotChalk is dedicated to examining the Education Stimulus Package and its implications for schools and the nation as a whole. Included here are a Letter from the HotChalk editors, a video blog by HotChalk Chairman and CEO Edward Fields, and a section where you can see your colleagues’ responses to our question “Should schools accept or refuse the stimulus money?” We invite you to join the discussion by leaving your own comments. The HotChalk Editors
Facing The Stimulus PackageOn February 17th, 2009, President Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, cutting taxes over the next two years and authorizing more than $700 billion to flow out into our nation’s critical sectors, including energy, health care, infrastructure and education. What this means for education is an unprecedented financial stimulus of more than $106 billion to spark broad-based reform and raise the quality of teaching and learning for every teacher and student across our country.Despite how some may view this stimulus, we think every educator in this country understands this money is not a “windfall.” No, folks. This money means there is even MORE work and HARDER work to be done than what we’ve been doing already. And it needs to be done right away. The government is aiming to get half that money out to the states within the next 40 days -- but not without a comprehensive reform plan from every district. Folded into this are a number of challenges, including a call for schools to adopt:
For many schools and districts who’ve been operating in “ survival mode” for the past few years, this will be a major shakeup. Suddenly, they’re being asked to change focus, to craft a vision and almost immediately, turn around and put into practice what seemed so impossible just a short while ago. There are many decisions to be made and questions still up in the air about how we’ll get quickly on the reform track, and how we’ll sustain our programs once the window of government funding closes. But, the fact remains that education is being a given a gift, a chance to prove they know how to put the money to good use, and to institute the reforms we so badly need to ensure our students are prepared for the 21st century. HotChalk will be keeping you up to date with best practices, following districts across the country in their efforts to implement the new and innovative practices mandated by the Obama Administration. We hope you’ll keep us informed about what is happening in your environment. Write in and let us know how your school or district is planning to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to make a difference. And let us know your thoughts on the challenges we’re all facing. HotChalk Chairman and CEO Edward Fields weighs in on the topic of Spending the Stimulus Money: Should U.S. schools accept or refuse the education stimulus money? Why?Please use the comment form below to post your thoughts. "Yes, without a doubt, U.S. schools should
accept the education stimulus money. Most schools and school districts are
underfunded, meeting in old buildinds in need of serious repair, short of
supplies, including textbooks, and struggling to meet the needs of learning
disabled children. The school sysytems, public and private, need every penny,
to meet the needs of our future generation of leaders, workers, parents, and
citizens. Funds are needed everywhere in the U.S. to improve computer
technology withinthe classroom and within the students hands. The future
needs computer literate citizens. Laptops for each child, from elementary
school through college is not the idea of a radical teacher or administrator.
It is the truth. The stimulus money won't ever be enough to improve the
educational system but it is a start." -- Judith I. Breen, Media Specialist, Liberty Christian School, Owings Mills, MD "Yes, because children are our future, and
for too long, we have been putting them last. Besides, until parents are also
held accountable for children's success in testing, we have to fund that lack
with money."
-- Anonymous "Schools need to evaluate how they are
going to use the money and what strings are attached - there are always
strings. Most likely, careful planning will keep districts out of hot water.
for instance, don't hire people that you can't sustain later. figure out
how and who is going to track all data and accountability items. It can be
done, but don't think it will be just handed over without any accountability.
Plan on being data-driven!" -- Anonymous "No, we do not need more intervention in
the schools. With accepting this money we will be at the mercy of big
government. Let the schools manage with what we have. We do not need all
the frills that would probably come out of the package." -- Anonymous "Of course we should accept the stimulus
money. Last year I worked in a school that was built in 1914. The bricks were
falling off the front off the top of the three story schoolhouse. I was a
language arts/reading teacher in a middle school, and I had no books in my
classroom! I am now currently in a better funded school system, but even here
they are threatening to lay off 700 teachers because of budget shortfalls.
United States Schools need this money." -- Anonymous "That would depend on what is expected in
return. If acceptance of the money results in loss of autonomy in decision
making then I would lean toward refusing. There is too much interference
from the federal level already. Many school districts may desperately need
the money in light of the economic situation of the nation. In that case
they would have to weigh the federal interference with day to day needs of
the district. Sharon Richardson, Third grade classroom teacher, Northwest ISD/Justin Elementary, Justin, Texas "If they are throwing this together so
hastily without sufficient guidelines or basis in research, then we should
refuse. If we can't give or get an accurate accounting for these monies, then
the money should not be given. As a taxpayer, I already give a lot to
education that I would like to get an accounting for. As a teacher, I
certainly would like more money for my science classroom, but without
guidelines, I realize that the reality is that the money will not actually
reach the classroom level." -- Anonymous "You must be kidding! Of course we should
accept the stimulus money for education. We actually need several billion
dollars more for hiring and keeping the best and the brightest teachers. A
country is measured by its educational system and our country's educational
system is far behind other countries. Properly educating our children is
expensive but ignorance is even more expensive! Educational funding, paying
teachers what they deserve and implementing innovative educational programs
is the number one priority for our country above all else! We have been
living in the "dark ages for the last 8 years and now it's time for a
new and brighter future for education and for our great country!"
-- Patricia Head, ESE Resource teacher, Orange/Endeavor, Orlando, Florida "Absolutely! Our job is to educate
children, and the stimulus money will help us do our job."
-- Paula VanAuken, Teacher, Greenfield Union, Bakersfield, Ca. "In spite of the administrative nightmare
the federal constraints may place on a district, if one refuses the money is
there an implication that we (the district) are doing just fine, thank you,
and we do not need or expect federal funding for any future needs? It seems
creating a Stimulus Brain Trust at the district level would be worth the
manpower sacrifice in other areas, to take the money and use it appropriately
and creatively."
-- Diana O'Connor, Librarian/ Media SpecialistDallas ISD/ Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, Dallas, TX "It depends upon the strings, if any, that
are attached to the stimulus money. As Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana said
"why spend a $1.00 to get ten cents?" Paying for a year or two of a
program doesn't help if getting the money sets up an unfunded mandate that
has to be paid for out of already strapped school district budgets going
forward and we would be foolish to accept it. As most educators and
administrators know the bulk of our budget comes from local funding,
generally property taxes, with a some state funds if we are lucky. While any
extra money that comes our way is welcome, especially to pay for things that
the Federal Government required us to do, but never funded. But, we just
can't afford to create new programs that we'll have to fund going forward
when the stimulus money dries up in two years with little prospect of follow
up funding. This stimulus package was rammed down our throats by a
President and Congress that didn't even read it on the basis that the sky was
falling. That may have worked once, but now people are beginning to read it
and realize that it was a pork filled package that is probably going to do
little to create new jobs. It was more about politics then anything else and
if anyone spends money with unfunded mandates attached to it going forward
thinking that the Federal Government will come back with additional funds in
the future are going to be faced with the prospect of cutting teachers,
staff, and programs to pay for them." -- D. John McCarthy, School Committee Member, Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District, Wilbraham MA "No. Not only should we not accept this, I
hope that my state of Texas refuses this misdirected attempt to jumpstart the
economy. I am afraid that we must say goodbye to a way of life that made out
country great. At this time their are more Americans that do receive some
kind of handout than don't. Therefore the constituency will keep this kind
of behavior in favor. It is all of our faults, we have allowed it to happen
throughout the past few decades through our votes or lack their of. Just
because the government is willing to give you $, that it does not in fact
have does not mean you should take it. How does Education "Stimulus
money" do anything for the economy? This letter could go on and on, and
probably will fall on deaf ears. Thanks for your ear and say goodbye the
great nation built on inovation and hard work, and not on handouts. Mark H.
Gotthardt" -- Mark H. Gotthardt, Teacher, Runge ISD, Runge, TX "We should refuse the stimulus money
because government has destroyed public education. With funding from the
federal government, public schools have become an indoctrination machine for
liberal agendas. Even our former President George Bush made a big mistake by
standing behind the No Child Left Behind initiative. It was a mandate with
no funding, and the whole idea is preposterous. By receiving this money, we
are accepting handouts and putting the government in control. Let the states
solve their own education issues. Those states who figure out the best
system can teach those who are struggling. We are the United States of
America, and I would like to emphasize the word United States. Schools need
to learn to operate within their budgets, and the education system will not
be improved by throwing money at it. I have taught in both Oklahoma and
Texas. I have seen taxes on liquor by the drink, gambling, the lottery,
horse racing, and many other various taxes passed and supposedly the money was
going to education. Guess what? Somehow the students never received a dime
of that money. I did notice that upper administration in most school
districts got a huge raise and teacher salaries stayed the same. I think I
see a resemblance from the bailout of the financial industry where CEO's gave
themselves big bonuses and raises. Schools, please refuse the stimulus money
and lets restore and repair public education from within." -- Joshua Geer , English Teacher, Mansfield Independant School District/Ben Barber Career Technology Academy, Mansfield, Texas "Any who refuse the money while it's being
doled out shouldn't even dream of whining later about not getting enough from
the Feds. So it has some strings attached. Welcome to Reality. And where
do they think they'll be in line for billions without strings???"
-- Anonymous "Yes. The money is intended to STIMULATE
the economy, of which education is a vital part. The Texas legislature has
been on a decade-long journey of shoe-string budgets for education. Let us
put the money to use investing in our children's education."
-- Mike Bernhardt , Educator, Whitney ISD, Whitney,TX "No. I don't think it's in the best
interest of our country to accept the "stimulus" money. By
accepting the money we are burdening not only the current tax payers, but
also those who will supposedly benefit from the money - our students. Why
saddle them with the burden of paying for a mess they didn't create? I know
levies are being turned down all over the place, especially in Ohio. Using
the "stimulus" is a creative work-around for getting the tax payers
to finance what they voted down in the first place. More options such as
charter schools, online schools and private schools should be offered to
parents, even if this means the state (and federal) government has to take a
back seat. Let parents and students choose where to spend their money.
- name withheld"
-- Anonymous "Accept! Schools need money and we have a
President willing to lead other legislators into giving funds to schools.
Perhaps it has come without as much warning and preparation time as some
might wish, but we have been preparing for this through our lounge
conversations, when our principals had to refuse our requests for lack of
funds and every time we've been asked to slash our budget by 10%. In other
words, teachers and administrators have been preparing for this as long as
we've been in education. There is nothing easy about the financial times
we live in. We see that when our neighbors try to sell their homes or we try
to juggle our bills. To refuse the money President Obama is trying to give us
would send a bad message and reaffirm too many conservative's opinions that
teachers are a bunch of whiners. It's a challenge to use this new money
wisely? We are so up to this challenge!"
-- Mary Rudzinski, Orchestra director, Avoca 37/Marie Murphy, Wilmette, IL "Schools should NOT accept the money if,
after it is used, there is no way to continue without it."
-- Anthony Abarno, Teacher, ES BOCES, Long Island, NY "Why would you not accept educational
stimulus money? If it is to be temporary, find that out first! Then as a
district (not just managers but representatives of all employee and parent
groups) prioritize your needs, use the money for the time it is available.
Each district has it's own unique requirements! Keep track, down to the
penny, where it is going in your district. If your are audited why would you
care? You can show exactly where it went! Education has been forced into
unfunded mandates for years! Now we are offered "stimulus" and
people are contemplating not using it? To me, not using this funding would
be dumb!"
-- Craig Oldham, Teacher, Grand Blanc HS, Grand Blanc, MI "Why would we decline is more the question.
We are in dire need of supplies, of smaller class sizes and better teachers
(or keeping the good teachers we have) and all of these needs can be
satisfied with money. I am not saying randomly throwing money at our problems
will solve them, but money along with a well thought out plan of action is
just what we need. One without the other will do nothing, as we have seen in
the past the best made plans have no possiblity of working without funding to
back them up. We have a number of excellent plans to remedy the problems
faces in American schools, we just need the money to put them into action and
to evaluate their effectivness."
-- Shannon Brady, Teacher, Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia, PA "Yes, education is the single most
important area to focus on in this century. We are at a crossroads in this
country. We have rested on our laurels from the moonwalk of 69 for too long.
Money needs to go to public schools for repair/remodel of classrooms,
technology access for all students, Internet- broadband capabilities, field
trips for project learning, stipends for teachers who go the "extra
mile" in planning, organizing and providing unique learning situations
for students. Our children are the future. We are doing them and ourselves
great harm if we do not sieze this opportunity to accept and SPEND THE MONEY
WISELY on true education reform."
-- Angelia Greiner, Teacher, ASMSA - Office of Distance Education, Hot Springs, Arkansas "Absolutely! President Obama has made it
clear that quality education is a cornerstone of America's future and that if
America is to have a future and place in the global economy then America MUST
fund education and consider quality education by quality educators with the
same importance that our global economic partners give to educating their
children."
-- Betsy Green, Special educator, Frederick CountyPublic Schools, Winchester, VA
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Comments (20)
teacher
written by Elizabeth Harrington, September 27, 2009
NO!!!, NO!!! and NO!!! If the money is accepted our schools will become machines and our students will become the items on an assembly line! What a dangerous course for us to take--putting the federal government in charge of our children's education. "No Child Left Behind" is a joke and teachers are left holding the bag. What about equal distribution of accountability? When are the student and the parent going to be made accountable??? Isn't it about time we let the schools run themselves and leave the "Big Brother" government out of the picture!!! Wake up America, we're headed for disaster in our economy and our lives!!!
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Cleburne ISD taxpayer
written by Harold Gentry, June 20, 2009
Cleburne ISD in Texas underwent a 19 month long investigation by the Texas Education Agency for federal fund misuse. We were found guilty, assessed as a high risk grantee, forced to repay $362,000, put under sanctions and sent a monitor.Out of 11.3 million in federal funds given to the district from 2003-2006 only $829,000 was examined and federal auditors determined 44% of that was misused.TEA auditors told me that if they looked at the rest that fine could go to 4.5 million. After lying to the community all this timethe results were made public and the mass exodus of administrators began immediately starting with the superintendent and then three other assistants including the CFO who said they had no plans to leave the district. This past week the FEDS from DOE were here to check our internal controls because we are about to get possibly 2.8 million from the Obama stimulus package. All this has happened in less than one years time. So what happened to all those who were guilty and left? They all got paid off by the district and left with a check with absolutely NO ACCOUNTABILITY at all!The only thing this money will do is increase the salary of some central office administrator.
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Educational Resources Sales Representative
written by Bill Anthony, June 01, 2009
I am trying to find out how and under what conditions the stimulus money might be used to fund Adult Education. i.e. ABE and GED instruction and ESL. Where might I get the answer?
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Federal Funding
written by mitchellscott@spokane.k12.mo.us, May 24, 2009
I read through most of the comments on weather or not schools should accept the stimulus money. While both sides repeated their points over and over, what I did not see was the fact that the federal government should have no control over eduction. Remember if it is not specifically designated to the federal government or otherwise prohibited, rights revert back to the state... ie education. Let me keep my money and decide how I want to spend it.
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Long-Term Financial Solution
written by Dave Indelicato, March 24, 2009
I agree with Teachnologist. Wise investment of the stimulus money in our districts' infrastructures is a long-term financial solution that will reap financial rewards for decades (long after the original stimulus funds have been spent).
Most U.S. school buildings are frightfully inefficient and wasteful--wasteful of energy, resources, and money. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has created an initiative called LEED For Schools (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED offers guidelines for creating and/or upgrading school buildings to provide adequate natural sunlight, affordable electricity, heating and cooling provided by solar panels and geothermal systems, improved acoustics, mold prevention, low emitting materials, hybrid transportation options, and water efficiency among others. Districts can register with the USGBC to attain 4 levels of LEED certification: standard, silver, gold, and platinum. So schools can achieve the different levels of certification (and the various rebates and tax incentives associated with each level) at their own pace. But every school in America should be registered with the USGBC. In tough times like these, when every dollar counts, we need to be the most efficient versions of ourselves possible. report abuse
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ACCEPT THE MONEY
written by Anonymous, March 23, 2009
In DISD we had to lay off SEVERAL HUNDRED teachers due to budget shortfalls, then they layed off too many and had to hire some back, most schools, with the exception of magnets, are underfunded, students having to share textbooks in classrooms, textbooks soo torn up that they are unusable, yet there is not enough money to purchase replacements, computer labs in classes are non-existant, WE ARE A DIGITAL SOCIETY, yet we expect our children in this district to learn by archaeic means. Is there a price, yes, is the price worth it, again YES. How can someone be one of the largest super powers in the world, and have one of the lowest performing education systems? We are falling farther and farther behind other industrialized nations, that until the last 10 to 15 years we were AHEAD OF!!! There is always a price for anything worthwhile. WE NEED TO MOVE TO A DIGITAL AGE WITH ALL STUDENTS! Not just the ones whose parents have the money to fund private tutors, the majority of society today cannot provide private education.
"It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary." Winston Churchill For us to succeed as a nation we must do what is necessary, overhauling and infusing education is a start. report abuse
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...
written by Deborah, March 23, 2009
Yes we should accept the money in Florida. Florida ranks 49th in funding education. Our funding has been cut 2 years in a row with academic standards continuing to increase. There is a point of diminishing returns and if Florida lawmakers truly believed in education as an investment in our future, they would properly fund public education. Taking the stimulus money is the lease they could do for our children!
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Librarian
written by Ellie Simons, March 23, 2009
Yes, we should accept the stimulus money. This money can improve our facilities and provide employment to the compnaies who will do the contract work, and this will provide an overall improvement for the local economy. The schools in this district really need some overhauling, so that our school failities are safe and con=mfortable for students. We would have to be crazy to turn down the money.
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LMS
written by Anonymous, March 19, 2009
Wait a minute...just whose money do they think this is? The fact that strings are always attached is due to our lack of activism and organization. If we REALLY wanted better schools, we would organize, peacefully demonstrate to the point of civil disobedience, and not back down until demands are met Educator unions roll over when push comes to shove. It has been time to shove back for years. Take the mmoney. It's ours to begin with.
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elementary teacher
written by Kimberly Corfield Springham, March 19, 2009
States and counties are cutting our school funding. If schools begin to fail what will become of our future? Schools serve the neigborhoods directly and that money will then serve it's local bussiness' hence a way to simulate the local economy. ;D
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ESL teacher
written by L Dewees, March 19, 2009
I see that many of my educational collegues have fallen for the GOP lies. Why shouldn't we accept any money we can get?! Haven't you been educators long enough to know that public schools NEVER have enough money? We need money now, whether we get funds next year is something we should worry about NEXT year. As far as strings attached to the funds are concerned, there couldn't possibly be a bigger string than NCLB which was enacted long before the stimulus package. Talk about government getting bigger!! Some may claim that our forefathers envisioned government a little differently over 200 years ago, but our country has EVOLVED and grown since then, so let's change with the times as well.
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Educational Stimulus
written by Debbie, March 19, 2009
How do we find out the "strings attached". I do not know enough about the proposed standards and assessments, the evaluations, etc. to vote. I would like to learn more, if you could provide me with connections to learn more that would be great!
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Invest the stimulus money
written by Teachnologist, March 19, 2009
Perhaps schools can find creative ways to invest the stimulus funds in their own districts so that the district can begin to generate funds for itself. Here are a few examples: upgrade school auditoriums so that they can be rented to theater and community groups; use computer labs to offer low cost classes to the community; create a marketing campaign that solicits financial support from donors who are committed to education; open a district school store that provides low cost items that the community needs.
As well, many school districts can save money by doing things that we are doing in our homes, i.e. requiring everyone to turn off the power cords when not in use; use of natural light when available as opposed to electrical lighting. I still think that longer school days 4 days a week can aid in the cost of operating school districts and provide jobs in the community. The one day that schools are not open, churches and daycare centers will need more workers. report abuse
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Stimulus
written by Anonymous, March 19, 2009
I feel that education is the number one priority of our nation in order to ensure that our future is safe. No other profession would even exist, if it were'nt for education. The stimulus monies should be controlled however to ensure that they are not used it cases such as AIG (what a scam). Teachers already make very little money for all the "hats" they wear and responsibilities they have, so I can guarantee the public that we wouldn't be given it in bonuses. We actually will use it for bettering the students education!
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Teacher
written by William Blake, March 19, 2009
Yes, we need it to maintain standards of instruction. Some may worry about school systems losing local control with more federal instrusion into the public schools, but what else can we do?
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Thoughtful planning needed
written by Judy Hughes, March 18, 2009
Refusing the stimulus accomplishes what? The money will go somewhere. Thoughtful planning re: how to use the money in the short-term to accomplish long-term goals is needed. Georgia's governor plans to cut state funding for school nurses. I would hope he would consider taking advantage of the stimulus money to prevent Georgia's students from losing a much needed service. Our children and grandchildren will be burdened if we don't do something.
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teacher
written by f bremer, March 18, 2009
In Florida the budget cuts are so dire, without the stimulus money we won't even be able to keep many schools open. Thousands of teachers will be laid off and we will continue to be at the "bottom of the barrel!
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teacher
written by Marc Severson, March 18, 2009
As a teacher in the 51st ranked state I do not ask where the money comes from. These are desperate times. We have been responsible for unfunded mandates, asked to do more with less and then told that we are generally of little worth. Actions are what speak truly. The actions of this country say that we do not value children, we are unsupportive of public education and by extension we no longer revere the values by which this country was established. Greed talks, freedom and democracy don’t just walk . . . they crawl.
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Parent/educator
written by anonymous II, March 18, 2009
As a society we pay big bucks to Drs and Lawyers. Teachers' pay is generally higher than the man on the street, but the work they do is often unappreciated. Our children's survival in this world is critical. I suspect it is more a need to recognize that "it takes a whole village to raise a child" and act accordingly. I work at this time in my home with both homeschoolers and public schoolers. Because of health problems I am going to be losing that source of income. However, I am lucky because my income is merely the 'chinks between the logs' in our family. Never the less as a parent who raised six children I know that as a society we need to recognize the writing on the wall. Excuse the many use of sayings in this email. It reflects my education, which I make no excuses for. All my teachers (those from the public schools and my parents) gave me much.
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... written by Anonymous, March 17, 2009
As an educator, I says no thanks. Anyone who thinks this stimulus is a good idea (even the part that goes to education) does not have a grip on the crisis our country is in. I agree with the others here who have concerns about burdening our children and grandchildren for something that will not be effective. Ever-expanding government is exactly what our forefathers warned against.
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