Tierney says feds may help bail out local schools

PEABODY – Federal financial aid could soon be on the way to many school districts on the North Shore, according to U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat and member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.A database prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), provides estimates of funding amounts school districts may receive from certain education-related aspects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Specifically, the report estimates what the 6th Congressional District of Massachusetts would receive under the bill’s program allocations for these categories: Title I, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and K-12 School Modernization, over fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the congressman said Friday.”In the coming weeks, Congress is expected to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment bill of 2009. This legislation is critical toward strengthening our economy and creating millions of new jobs,” Tierney said. “One of the many important aspects of this bill is the federal funds targeted to local communities to help rebuild schools and fund key services, such as special education.”Under the current version in the House of Representatives, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has a price tag of $825 billion. President Barack Obama has adamantly asserted that the nation’s educational system needs an infusion of funding to make it more successful and productive at a time when many schools are making budget cuts.Tierney noted that local officials in the cities and towns on the North Shore have expressed concern about dire budget shortfalls. “It’s the intent of Congress to provide key assistance, to aid our local communities, and ensure that children of all ages and abilities continue to be provided with a quality education,” he said, adding that it is also essential that those currently employed get continued education in order to keep their jobs.The following are estimates based on available data from CRS and may not reflect exact allocations that school districts receive when these funds are actually allocated, Tierney said.From fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010, Lynn’s Title I funding would stay the same at $2,948,500. Title I funding would also remain the same for Lynnfield, Nahant, Peabody, Saugus and Swampscott.The Lynn school district’s IDEA funding would increase from $2,665,500 to $3,068,800 from one fiscal year to the next. When $7,562,000 in construction funding is added for fiscal 2009, the Lynn schools will have received an estimated total two-year increase of $19,193,200, according to the CRS report.IDEA funding for Lynnfield would increase from $254,400 to $292,900, for an estimated total two-year increase of $616,000.Nahant would see its IDEA funds increase from $67,200 to $72,200, for an estimated total increase of $196,100.In Peabody, IDEA funds would increase from $1,008,500 to $1,161,100, bringing the estimated total two-year increase to $3,661,200.CRS data for Saugus indicates IDEA funds will increase from $518,700 to $597,200, for a total estimated two-year increase of $1,915,800.In Swampscott, while Title I funding remains at $52,700, IDEA funding was expected to increase from $307,200 to $353,700.In most instances, construction funding is included in the final two-year totals.