Grayson Delivers Good News for Schools

Press Release

GRAYSON DELIVERS GOOD NEWS FOR SCHOOLS

Congressman Alan Grayson delivered some much-needed news to the Superintendents of Lake, Marion, Orange, and Osceola counties today. The U.S. Department of Education has approved the State of Florida's application for billions of dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Congressman Grayson said, "The state government seems to be becoming quite dependent on federal aid. The Recovery Act money will bring stability. It is giving the school districts two years of breathing room to save teachers' jobs, prevent schools from closing, and improve education for children."

DISTRICT
2009-2010 STATE STABILIZATION TITLE 1 IDEA
Lake $13,605,099 $4,726,106 $9,548,678
Marion $13,838,343 $8,323,117 $10,039,225
Orange $60,567,432 $29,262,480 $41,506,046
Osceola $17,655,649 $6,875,841 $11,929,966

The state's application includes a waiver from a federal maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement. Congressman Grayson personally asked U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to grant the waiver.

The Recovery Act's MOE provision requires that a state must maintain education funding at or above the level established in FY 2006 in order to be eligible for the state stabilization money. Although the FY 2010 budget passed last week by the Florida Legislature increases spending from the FY 2009 level, it is still below the 2006 benchmark, making the waiver a necessity.

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