Stop Looking at Lansing: Schools need to focus on support from Congress

With funding diminishing from the State of Michigan for schools, districts statewide should shift their focus to Washington.

For example, the following school districts received federal funds in FY 2009:

• School District of Lancaster (PA) and Philadelphia School District each received $100,000 Project IMPACT, for abstinence education and related services.
• Troy High School (PA) received $247,000 for removal and/or replacement of non historic windows, infill, louvers, windows, and fan lights.
• The Logan Elm School District (OH) received $48,000 for water infrastructure improvements.
• The Hesperia Unified School District, Hesperia, CA, received $98,000 for an after school program for middle school students.
• The Independence School District (MO) received $347,000 for before- and after-school programs.
• The Washoe County School District (NV), received $248,000 for an online assessment and accountability instructional programs and an additional $248,000 for an English Instructional program.
• The Springfield School District (IL) received $94,000 for a middle school history experience.
• And the City School District of New Rochelle (NY) received $422,000 for after school and summer school programs, faculty professional development, and parent education workshops.

These are just some examples of how schools benefited from Congressional appropriations and governmental advocacy in securing additional funds for their schools. With limited funding from the state and a declining tax base, the federal government has the funds available for local districts.

With very limited budgets, school districts need to be careful where they spend their resources. It may prove helpful to work through an intermediate school district or perhaps even build a regional collaboration with the county, chambers and other entities to secure federal funding.