Comments on: Somerville, MA ARRA Funding Watch

By: eila

eila — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:48:50 +0000

Reminder!
Finance – Committee of the Whole A G E N D A

Monday, June 29, 2009 – 6:30 PM

Aldermen’s Chamber – 2nd Floor – City Hall

FY-2010 Budget

6:30 PM: Public Hearing
7:15 PM: Review
Revolving Funds
Any and all business

By: Jeff Levine

Jeff Levine — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:08:27 +0000

The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants were originally due yesterday, but at the last minute there was an extension granted until August 10th. Don’t know whether the City just got it in or took the extension. From what I hear, at least half of it is planned for use with residents, with the rest going for City buildings. That seems like a decent split to me.

The numbers float a lot because, other than the formula programs (CDBG, EECBG, HPRP, etc.) the numbers are the result of lobbying the state and so they are not fixed. In general it is good to see the city get some much stimulus money. Too bad the Green Line isn’t where it was supposed to be by now or we’d probably have stimulus money to pay for it.

By: Janine D.

Janine D. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:50:14 +0000

I would cut the Chapter 70 figure even more. Although the state is supposed to fund schools under Chapter 70 with a certain percentage, the budget is going to be less since the money allocated from the “Powerball” approval will be taken out. The other states voted against allowing MA to join prior to voting and Cahill never let anyone know prior to the Senate and House voting.

By: Joe Beckmann

Joe Beckmann — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:53:18 +0000

These numbers float around a lot. I could swear I saw a preliminary allocation to Massachusetts of nearly $2billion, with over $800,000,000 to schools via Title I and IDEA. The closest I’ve been able to find it since, in various email files, is considerably less. I expect that’s because the ARRA budget is for 2 years, not 1, and so there’s another bundle for next year. Yet I’d be particularly interested in two twists of that budget. First, Title I is a huge amount larger than any earlier Title I allocation, and the High School has NEVER applied, although their numbers are quite adequate to collect a bundle. That is not a competitive proposal, and does go on the basis of need, and we have plenty of poor kids if only we could itemize them.

Second, the larger pool of discretionary money to the state, something like $1.2 billion, is for competitive grants, based, again, on need but also on achievement. For that we are uniquely well placed – on both fronts – to collect more than our share. If, that is, that is still a reasonable estimate of how much money is in the pot.

By: eila

eila — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:23:29 +0000

and @Jared! The MA total of Federal ARRA for local school districts…

(from: “Current Federal Stimulus Allocations,” Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 10 Apr. 2009
)

…is $390,887,677, so Somerville got ~3.1%

By: eila

eila — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:15:43 +0000

Thanks Adam!

more specifics:

School-age IDEA: $810,284
pre-K IDEA: $31,460

Title I: $377,363
District Subtotal, Federal ARRA funds: $1,219,107

Chapter 70 State Aide (preliminary): $20,597,265

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:09:15 +0000

Thanks for the info Adam, and it’s refreshing to hear special education is high on the list of priorities.

By: Adam Sweeting

Adam Sweeting — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:00:54 +0000

To clarify the amount of money for Somerville schools from ARRA funds:

Somerville’s school portion is $1,219,107 for FY 2010. These funds must be targeted toward Title I and IDEA (special education).

By statute, 50% of that money must be used for “Recovery” to prevent layoffs and program reductions. To that end, the current budget uses $590,000 of ARRA funds to retain special education teachers, the MCAS remediation program, and reading teachers.

The other 50% must be directed toward “Reinvestment” for strategic one-time investments. There is an application process to apply for these funds to make sure that districts plan to use the money appropriately. That process is currently under way.

Best,
Adam

Adam Sweeting
School Committee — Ward 3

By: Joe Beckmann

Joe Beckmann — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:09:54 +0000

Incidentally, if we really did get SomerStat data we’d be able to see which wards got what. Now, THAT would really be transparency. As it is, it’s now “through a glass darkly.”

By: Joe Lynch

Joe Lynch — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:51:46 +0000

Joe Beckman – in response to your first post, last question – ABSOLUTELY.