First round of stimulus money set to trickle in... with strings attached

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.funds27mar27,0,402569.story

The first round of federal education stimulus money, totaling $47 million in all, is set to roll into Maryland over the next three years. The funds are part of the School Improvement Grants, separate from the Race to the Top Grants, but drawn from the same stimulus pool of $3.5 billion. Maryland is one of the first 7 states to receive such grants, and the large majority of the funds will be funneled into Baltimore city ($30 million in all) where the highest concentration of failing schools exists.

Although the specifics have not yet been released (more information is set to be revealed at the April 13th board meeting, according to DCOS Laura Weeldryer), the state's initial grant application did outline a protocol for the disbursal of funds according to a three tier system in order of highest need.

However, the funds will be tied down with some pretty significant strings. Weeldryer stated that the district intends to focus on only eight schools, which is the largest number they believe they can "affect dramatically with this infusion of money." If the funds are distributed equally between these eight schools, each will have $3.75 million dollars to spend over the next three years. While these eight schools were not named outright (only the five "first tier" schools were named) Weeldryer suggested that schools already showing some improvements are unlikely to receive any funds. They are primarily looking for a failing school which "doesn't have a plan and who needs the help"

The eight schools chosen to receive the funds will not have much say over how the funds are spent, as this will largely be dictated by "nonprofit operators" who will do the heavy lifting work of overhauling the schools. Schools who accept funding must agree to a federally approved overhaul plan, which could include converting to a charter school, zero-basing, or outright closure.

Fair School Funding in Maryland and the Stimulus Package

I recently finished Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol and upon completion of this book took a moment to examine the differences between school funding in Baltimore City and Howard County. What I found initially seemed a step in the right direction to ensuring that all students, regardless of where they are born, would have an opportunity to receive an education of equal quality.

What I discovered was the Baltimore City received roughly $2205 less per student than the students attending school in Howard County, a difference of 20% less money in Baltimore City. Although a disparity, it seems a far cry from the doubling in per student funding that was occurring in Kozol’s 1991 release of Savage Inequalities.

Then I stopped and took a moment to do the math. Baltimore City services 92,358 students. So 92,358 students times $2205 per student, just what does this equate to… $203,649,390, yes that $203 million and change A YEAR! This startling realization really got me thinking what we, the Baltimore City Schools, could do with this extra $203 million a year. I’m not a math teacher, but must admit my love of numbers and this opportunity to discuss them.

Given the fact the current estimates in Florida is that it costs roughly $23,000 per student to construct a new high school we could theoretically build brand new high schools for approximately 8,800 students. Or, we could refurbish many of our aging buildings with new windows, paint, lockers, books, and other necessary supplies. Alternatively, we could also invest in technology to bring working computers, LCD projectors, and lab equipment to provide our students the skills they will need to succeed in a world that will continue to think and act more globally. On the other hand we could invest in smaller classes by hiring more teachers, not only in our tested subject areas, but also as a means to expand our curriculum and provide greater choice to our students to match that of more affluent districts. A quick Google search turned up the following class list from Santa Ana, California 4 English listing for each grade level, 3 levels of math offerings in sophomore and junior years, with senior level statistics, college algebra, and calculus, 6 classes of world history including Advanced Placement, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Sciences to Chemistry to Biology, to Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Dance, and Aerobics. This, I’m sure isn’t even the most comprehensive list you could find with some searching.

Given the difference this $2205 per student makes, it only heightens the responsible use of the over $100 billion dollars President Obama and Congress recently approved for education spending as part of the recent highly publicized economic stimulus package. According to the roll out plan for that money $20 billion is earmarked for school modernization, $100 million for school construction (I wonder if that’s really enough, considering it can cost in the tens of millions of dollars for one middle school), $13 billion to help special education programs, $13 billion for Title I programs and schools, and a whole host of other schools. I just hope its time we get a fair chance at the pie here in Baltimore, for our students sake.