PARKERSBURG - Though details concerning President Barack Obama's stimulus package are still coming out, local school systems already are looking at ways the money could be spent.
Wood County Schools Superintendent Bill Niday met with administrators this week to discuss how money could be used in three particular areas.
"From what I've been hearing out of Washington, it appears the House version of the stimulus package targets three areas: Title I funding, special education funding and construction," he said.
Title I funds are divided among schools with high numbers of students on free- and reduced-price meal programs. These students are often categorized as "low-socioeconomic status" students, or low-SES. Most school systems use Title I funds only in schools with 50 percent or more of their student population qualifying as low-SES.
The House version of the bill allots to Wood County Schools about $2 million for Title I programs, $2 million for special education and about $5 million for construction projects, Niday said. However there is little indication of how those funds would be monitored or what restrictions would be included.
What's more, the bill may be dramatically changed when it comes out of the Senate and then likely will go to committee for a final revision.
"I'm anticipating that, with as quickly as it is moving in Washington, we should have some concrete details by the end of the month," Niday said.
Until then officials are brainstorming possible ideas for how the money could be used. Niday said he has stayed away from solid plans, instead looking at areas of need.
"We really are looking at two things while making these decisions: How can we best use the money to improve the quality of education for our students, and what is the intention of the stimulus package?" he said. "We are trying to determine the general direction this ought to be focused in so we can use the money in the best way possible."
Niday said he plans to add discussion of the stimulus funds to the Wood County Board of Education's Tuesday meeting agenda.
Wirt County Schools Superintendent Dan Metz said online reports indicate the school system will receive about $146,000 in Title I funds, $140,000 in special education funds and about $386,000 in construction funds.
Exactly how those funds will be used within those areas and what strings will be attached remains to be seen.
"I've not picked up on any special restrictions with that money, but I'm sure there will be because there already are restrictions on those kinds of funds now," he said.
Even so, Metz said he and other administrators already have identified areas of need.
"As far as construction goes, we're in need of a set of restrooms at the back of our middle school complex, near the gymnasium," he said. "What we have now, they are sufficient for our kids during the day, but not sufficient for all of the activities that happen in that building. Our buildings are used by the community every weekend, and what we end up having to do is open the main building for its bathrooms, which ends up being a safety issue."
Metz said he also would like to see the roofs repaired and replaced on the schools.
"These are 'shovel-ready' projects," he said. "We have everything we need to move forward except for the funding."
In the area of special education, most of the funding likely would go into personnel, he said.
"About 80 percent of our special education budget is in personnel already, so we probably would keep with that," Metz said.
"If we do get stimulus package money, and I'm not saying we will, a lot of it will go to personnel and construction," said Ritchie County Superintendent Richard Daquilante.
He said he hopes to employ more maintenance workers to help do preventative maintenance. The preventative maintenance is expected to save the schools money in the long run.
Daquilante said he is working with the ESBA to make sure the schools are equipped to handle 21st Century technology, like smart boards.
State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine said with so much debate going on at the federal level concerning the package, districts would be wise to not jump to conclusions.
"I think that is very premature at this point," he said. "We haven't heard much yet. We know what the House bill says, but I don't know where the Senate is with it right now. I think if the bill passes the Senate it will go back to committee for more work."
Paine said some aspects of the package are clear: There will be an emphasis on existing federal funding sources, such as Title I and special education, and on school growth and construction.
"How those will be administered or through what agencies we don't know," he said. "We have heard there will be some broadband money to improve technology infrastructure, which is something we are especially interested in here with our 21st Century initiatives. I hope there is some money that will support the professional development with our teachers.
"At this point we are just watching and waiting to see what finally comes out," Paine said.
Staff writer Rachel Lane contributed to this report.
