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Education Stimulus Money Released

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By LINDSAY PETERSON

lpeterson@tampatrib.com

Published: April 2, 2009

The federal government released $72 million in stimulus money for local schools today, but officials still aren't sure whether Florida will qualify for all the money it could receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The $72 million is for schools that serve students from low-income families and students with disabilities.

Hillsborough County is getting $39.5 million, Pinellas County is getting $24.5 million and Manatee County is getting $8 million.

This is half of what was set aside for these students. The remainder will come out in the fall.

These school districts are in line for an additional $51.7 million to modernize schools, $950,000 for educational technology grants and $4.8 million for Head Start.

Congress set aside another pool of stimulus money for public schools, but Florida officials don't know whether they can use any of it. The state would have to get a waiver from a provision in the act that withholds money from states spending less on education now than they did in 2006.
State Education Commissioner Eric Smith said Tuesday that he was sure U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan would approve a waiver for Florida, where the student population has dropped since 2006.

He said his office had been in close contact with federal officials. "We haven't gotten any negative feedback," Smith said.

Even with the stimulus money, education officials worry about cuts this year. The state Senate's budget would hold spending at current levels, an average of $6,860 per student. But the House budget has less for education.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

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