Administration: States sitting on school money

[davidinalameda]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/01/09/schools.money.ap/index.html

The Bush administration, roundly criticized by states over its funding of education, is countering that the states are sitting on billions of federal dollars meant for schools.

The White House and Education Department officials on Thursday charged that the 50 states, the District of Columbia and eight territories have $5.75 billion in unused federal money from 2000 to 2002. That amounts to 8 percent of the $71.6 billion set aside for six programs during that time, including help for disabled students and high-poverty schools.

"The states will say, 'We'll ask for that money as we need it,' " said Eugene Hickok, acting deputy secretary of education. "Well, one has to ask, 'If they're that tightly strung out with regard to federal dollars to make No Child Left Behind work, then why haven't they accessed the dollars they have?"'



Does anyone know if this money was given in block grants or actually designated for a specific purpose?

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. It's all a pee-hole in the snow.

The percentage of its operating budget that a typical district gets from the Feds is in the 2-5% range.

[donco6]

11. Ours is 4% from feds

Not including money from USDA for food service - another 1% maybe.

I don't know if most people realize that most state dept.s of education are almost completely funded out of what they skim from federal grants in "indirect costs." Schools don't see any of that money.

[lovedems]

2. It's always someone else's fault isn't it *

I think I became a "grown up" when I started to take responsiblity for my own actions or lack of action if that was ever the case. I don't think your parents raised you right.

[tom_paine]

4. My thought exactly

These Bushevik Liars are the Congenital Type.

I can count on one hand the number of times they have told the truth about ANYTHING.

And one of the was:

"Who cares what you think?"
--Emperor Bunnypants*

Another one:

"There ought to be limits to freedom."
--Emperor Bunnypants*

A third:

"It would be better if this was a dictatorship, so long as I am the dictator."
--Emperor Bunnypants*

[JailForBush]

3. Public Schools Boondoggle

In fact, public education wastes and embezzles a vast amount of money, but neither Republicans nor Democrats will talk about it. Combine top-heavy administrations (often with grossly overpaid administrators), textbook rackets, construction rackets and a never-ending stream of corporate fads, including high-stakes tests, and it's a wonder there's anything at all left for the kids.

[missile_bender]

5. Part of the problem are Draconian conditions attached to the use

For example, if schools accept the money they have to turn over all their student info to military recruiters.

[amber dog democrat]

6. Thanks but no thanks.

This no child left behind act is nothing more than a political scam.
The more states that decide that they can't afford the carrot, the fewer sticks that follow. Its the strings attached that make it so undesirable.

[sandnsea]

7. They said this about security money too

That there was lots of block grant money available for security, states just weren't asking for it. What a bunch of silly governors we have. :eyes:

[kysrsoze]

8. I don't believe this shit for a second

OK, how on earth can they say this and get away with it? I want to know right now where that money is sitting. States are busting their behinds to make ends meet without significantly raising taxes.

I have to hand it to my governor Blagojevich (D-IL). I kind of doubted him at first. But it took a lot of guts to continue applying for a waiver to buy prescription drugs from Canada. It pointed out the ridiculous hypocrisy. He's also managed not to levy a tax increase to counter the Bush taxcuts.

Of course now comes the news of former Gov. Ryan's indictment. That's perfect. We also have a big hitter about to run for Senator. I was really starting to be amazed with how much Dick Durbin had to say for awhile. What happened to him?

[dbt]

9. Show me the money!

Arkansas is about to have its own Supreme Court take over its own school systems because its lawmakers will not go near the Consolidation quicksand--and it's all about money.

Perhaps the Regime would be kind enough to show us ignernt hillbillies where all this federal money is hiding?

:grr:
dbt

[0007]

10. 'Tis the old double shuffle, dwickham!

Rod Paige made a big mess out of the Texas school by cooking the books. (Exposed by Bill Moyers.) And not nary a word.

This is just another trick by this administration to prove the dems are wrong.

The Education Secretary should be thrown out of office on his ear!