$250 Million in ARRA Stimulus Funds for New Mexico Schools

June 15, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Secretary of Education Veronica C. García today announced that the New Mexico Public Education Department has awarded or will award more than $250 million in federal stimulus funds for schools throughout New Mexico.

The money includes general operation funds for the 2009-10 school year, funds for special education programs, money to programs that serve disadvantaged children, grants for school lunch equipment, and funds for homeless students.

Article continues below...

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a historic opportunity to drive real change in our public schools,” Secretary of Education Veronica C. García said. “School districts and charter schools from every corner of New Mexico will now have a chance to save and create jobs, and provide extra help to students in an effort to improve academic performance."

The education funding includes:

• Stabilization Funds: $164.7 million. These funds have been included in the public school funding formula for the 2009-2010 school year. This money will be available on July 1, pending final anticipated approval by the U.S. Department of Education. Districts may use this money as they have used general fund dollars for regular operating expenses.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B: $47.2 million. This represents about half of the special education stimulus funds schools are expected to receive in 2009, and the money is available now. Examples of ways to use this money include hiring additional support staff and parent liaisons, training and professional development for special education teachers, and hiring job coaches to work with high school students with special needs so they can enter the workforce.

Title I Funds or education for the disadvantaged: $38.7 million. This represents about half the Title I funds schools are expected to receive in 2009, and the money is available now.

Examples of ways to use this money include expanding after-school programs, hiring additional staff such as reading specialists, and professional development for teachers and principals working in high-poverty schools.

Stabilization, IDEA, and Title I funds are being allocated through existing funding formulae.

• Education for the Homeless Funds: $548,313. These grants will help schools address the educational and related needs of homeless children during the current economic downturn. In July, $383,313 will be awarded to 24 school districts across the state.

Another $165,000 will be awarded through a competitive grant process. Those awards are expected to be announced by August 8.

• School Lunch Equipment Awards: $924,743. The purpose of the money is to improve the infrastructure of the National School Lunch Program, and the money may be used to purchase or renovate food service equipment. The money has been awarded to 31 school districts and schools through a competitive grant process.

TO VIEW FUNDING BY DISTRICT: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/arra.html

Source: New Mexico Governor