Not all Ohio schools seek stimulus dollars

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — More than half of Ohio school districts decided against seeking federal stimulus dollars, worried about government mandates and the future of such funding.

Of Ohio’s 600-plus public school districts, 57 percent decided not to join the Ohio Department of Education’s application for the government’s “Race to the Top” funding.

Each of the 266 districts that did apply for up to $400 million in federal aid had to promise to follow 22 federal requirements if they received the money. The district superintendent, school board and teachers’ union all had to commit to the plan; the application deadline was last week.

President Barack Obama’s stimulus package included $4.3 billion in competitive education grants for states, who must amend education laws and policies to compete.

At Middletown schools, which did not seek the money, teachers were worried about what would happen when the one-time money disappeared and about requirements linking teacher compensation to student test scores.

“If something happens either before or during the test, and the student doesn’t perform well, that is something we don’t have control over and doesn’t necessarily demonstrate a student’s ability,” said Suzanne Larsen, president of the Middletown Teachers Association.

At Madison schools in southwest Ohio, the district and teachers had concerns about the funding formula and its effect on union contracts.

“We felt ‘Race to the Top’ was simply not a good fit because of the uncertainty and contract concerns,” said A.J. Huff, the district’s grant writer and spokesman.

At Ross schools, the superintendent and school board president were ready to pursue the money but the union balked, concerned about an annual evaluation for teachers.

Most contracts call for annual evaluations for beginning teachers, with less regular evaluations for more experienced teachers, said Ross Superintendent Greg Young.

Edgewood schools has similar concerns but applied for the money because the district is already following many of the mandates, such as changes to student testing and teacher collaboration.

“Part of us felt we would be crazy not to try for additional funds,” said Peggy McCluskey, Edgewood curriculum director.

The state could receive anywhere from $200 million to $400 million over a four-year period, but it’s unclear how much of that would go to local districts.

The Department of Education would use half of Ohio’s money to start new programs and improve existing ones, then decided how to divide up the money based on how many of a district’s children are normally eligible for federal funds.

RACE TO THE TOP

Carrot: Up to $400 million in federal aid for Ohio schools, part of $4.3 billion in federal stimulus dollars, a funding stream dubbed “Race to the Top.”

Stick: Schools applying for the money must agree to several government requirements, such as annual teacher evaluations.

Takers: Out of 600-plus Ohio districts, 266 applied for the money.

Quotable: “We felt ’Race to the Top’ was simply not a good fit because of the uncertainty and contract concerns.” — A.J. Huff, Madison Local Schools’ grant writer and spokesman.