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PSD submits plans for stimulus funds
Funds used for upgrades, buses, security and more
By Ashley Slayton
aslayton@paragoulddailypress.com
The Paragould School Board recently reviewed a stimulus spending plan for the district as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA, during their most recent board meeting Aug. 17.
Superintendent Aaron Hosman told the board the district has been allotted nearly $3.2 million dollars to spent in three areas: Title 1, special education and stabilization following four principles:
“We began by looking at the needs of each building and the district as a whole,” Hosman said about initiating the spending plan. “I don’t think we’ve left anyone out of the process.”
Money spent by the district will be reimbursed following the approval of the district’s spending plan by the Arkansas Department of Education. “Personally, I don’t think there’s anything in here that’s not going to fly,” Hosman said. Reimbursements will begin to arrive every two weeks after the plan is approved.
Proposed expenditures for the district include $460,000 for technology; $162,000 for safety and security; $125,000 for energy and efficiency; $405,000 for furnishings, cabinetry and equipment; $142,000 for school buses; $300,000 for renovations and $800,000 each for P.E. building on the Baldwin and Woodrow Wilson Elementary campuses totalling $3,194,000. “What I’m most proud of is there is no asphalt, canopies or walkways. It’s pretty much filled with items for instruction,” Hosman said.
Title 1
Title 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act serves to assist schools with high concentrations of students with low-income backgrounds achieve academically. Hosman said Baldwin, Woodrow Wilson and Oak Grove Elementary Schools qualify for Tilte 1 funding, along with Oak Grove Middle School. Paragould High School and Junior High School do not.
Hosman said the funding, which totals about $404,000, will go toward instructional items such as computers, software, Interwrite boards and iPods. “Essentially, we’re replacing every computer in the district that’s not an XP computer,” Hossman said.
Special Education
The district has been allotted about $677,000 to spend on special education. This includes technology, software and handicap accessibility upgrades. Doors, drinking fountains and two new school buses will be outfitted to be accessible for handicapped students. Computers, software and other devices will be used to aid instruction in classrooms and computer labs.
Stabilization
Funds for stabilization in the district are designated for upgrades to facilities. The nearly $2.1 million dollars will go to build P.E. buildings on the Woodrow Wilson and Baldwin Elementary campuses and improve existing facilities throughout the district.
The elementary campuses’ heating and cooling systems will be upgraded and security cameras will be added to high-traffic areas on campus. Additional furniture and license renewals will also be purchased.
Plans for additional lighting and sound are in place for the high school auditorium. “We think it’s important to have a wonderful fine arts program and an auditorium that is nice and comfortable,” Hosman said. The RAM channel studio will also be outfitted with improved lighting and sound equipment.
Hosman said some projects are already underway, while others await approval. “We’re looking at every penny being spent,” he said. “It’s an awful lot of work.” Hosman said all of the funding must be spent by Dec. 29, 2011 in order for the district to be reimbursed. not an XP computer,” Hossman said.
Superintendent Aaron Hosman told the board the district has been allotted nearly $3.2 million dollars to spent in three areas: Title 1, special education and stabilization following four principles:
- Spend funds quickly to create jobs;
- Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform;
- Ensure transparency, reporting and accountability;
- Investing in one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize funding cliff.
“We began by looking at the needs of each building and the district as a whole,” Hosman said about initiating the spending plan. “I don’t think we’ve left anyone out of the process.”
Money spent by the district will be reimbursed following the approval of the district’s spending plan by the Arkansas Department of Education. “Personally, I don’t think there’s anything in here that’s not going to fly,” Hosman said. Reimbursements will begin to arrive every two weeks after the plan is approved.
Proposed expenditures for the district include $460,000 for technology; $162,000 for safety and security; $125,000 for energy and efficiency; $405,000 for furnishings, cabinetry and equipment; $142,000 for school buses; $300,000 for renovations and $800,000 each for P.E. building on the Baldwin and Woodrow Wilson Elementary campuses totalling $3,194,000. “What I’m most proud of is there is no asphalt, canopies or walkways. It’s pretty much filled with items for instruction,” Hosman said.
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Title 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act serves to assist schools with high concentrations of students with low-income backgrounds achieve academically. Hosman said Baldwin, Woodrow Wilson and Oak Grove Elementary Schools qualify for Tilte 1 funding, along with Oak Grove Middle School. Paragould High School and Junior High School do not.
Hosman said the funding, which totals about $404,000, will go toward instructional items such as computers, software, Interwrite boards and iPods. “Essentially, we’re replacing every computer in the district that’s not an XP computer,” Hossman said.
Special Education
The district has been allotted about $677,000 to spend on special education. This includes technology, software and handicap accessibility upgrades. Doors, drinking fountains and two new school buses will be outfitted to be accessible for handicapped students. Computers, software and other devices will be used to aid instruction in classrooms and computer labs.
Stabilization
Funds for stabilization in the district are designated for upgrades to facilities. The nearly $2.1 million dollars will go to build P.E. buildings on the Woodrow Wilson and Baldwin Elementary campuses and improve existing facilities throughout the district.
The elementary campuses’ heating and cooling systems will be upgraded and security cameras will be added to high-traffic areas on campus. Additional furniture and license renewals will also be purchased.
Plans for additional lighting and sound are in place for the high school auditorium. “We think it’s important to have a wonderful fine arts program and an auditorium that is nice and comfortable,” Hosman said. The RAM channel studio will also be outfitted with improved lighting and sound equipment.
Hosman said some projects are already underway, while others await approval. “We’re looking at every penny being spent,” he said. “It’s an awful lot of work.” Hosman said all of the funding must be spent by Dec. 29, 2011 in order for the district to be reimbursed. not an XP computer,” Hossman said.
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