Oak Harbor, Coupeville and South Whidbey school districts are one step closer to a bailout of their own if a bill — known as the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act — is passed by the House this week.
Second District Rep. Rick Larsen announced Monday that the House economic recovery package could deliver $69 million to his district to modernize schools, create local jobs and help children learn in 21st century classrooms, according to estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.
A press release distributed by Larsen on Monday estimates that Whidbey Island school districts should expect to receive upwards of $4 million.
Oak Harbor could receive $2,899,300, Coupeville $460,600 and South Whidbey $890,200.
Rick Schulte, superintendent of the Oak Harbor School District, sees the possible boost in funds as bittersweet. While the act would provide much-needed funds, their use is very specific.
“We’re experiencing peaks of enthusiasm and happiness, and valleys of concern and pessimism,” he said, referring to the proposed cut in funding from Gov. Gregoire’s budget, which may force the district to cut staff positions, as one of the low points.
“We may be in a position to add in one area and cut in another,” he said. “We still don’t know how it’s all going to balance out in the end.”
The act will invest the estimated $69,444,900 in 35 Washington state school districts.
“The American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act will put people to work modernizing local schools to help our kids grow up to succeed in the 21st century economy,” said Larsen.
“This legislation not only creates jobs and invests in American competitiveness, but also provides unprecedented transparency by creating an economic recovery Web site so the American people can see how their money is being spent.”
The act also provides $69 million in Pell grant funding to help as many as 105,096 students in Washington state as the recession puts higher education further out of reach for many students. And it includes $10 million in Head Start funding to help Washington sustain critical pre-kindergarten services.
Beyond investments in education, the act will put people to work modernizing roads, bridges and transit, invest in clean, efficient energy, provide tax cuts for working Americans and deliver help for those hurt the most, including families struggling to put food on the table, according to Larsen’s press release.
