Most Ohio school districts miss stimulus deadline

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s schools chief says fewer than half the state’s school districts have made themselves eligible for extra federal education stimulus money.

Districts had until Friday to submit paperwork indicating school and teachers union officials supported policy changes required for the program. State Superintendent Deborah Delisle told the Ohio Board of Education on Monday that about 40 percent of districts met the deadline.

State officials hope Ohio will receive up to $400 million in additional money for schools. It’s competing with other states for shares of a $4.4 billion pot of stimulus funds offered by the Obama administration in exchange for reforms. Delisle says the funding would help Ohio beef up student academic standards and teacher licensing requirements.