SPECIAL REPORT Districts Tap into Federal Stimulus Funds for


School Transportation Needs Jobs are created, buses equipped and garages built thanks to


help from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 By Lisa J. Hudson


 Transportation funding via ARRA might be a drop in the bucket when it comes to the overall stimulus package, but some school districts have taken advantage of any opportunities.


We’ve reached an interesting point in time in regards to the federal stimulus: the point between the initial excite- ment and relief and a “What’s next?”


nervousness now


that much of the funds have been distributed. Back in the beginning of 2009, there was enthusiasm


for the prospect of a huge in- flux of federal aid to education. Te American Recovery and Re- investment Act of 2009, which also goes by the Recovery Act or ARRA, was signed into law by Presi- dent Obama on Feb. 17, 2009, and authorized up to $787 billion in federal


spending through September 30, 2010, including some $115 bil- lion in aid to public education. Tis was generally seen as welcome news. Te Fiscal Survey of


States: December 2008 from the National Governors Associa- tion and the National Association of State Budget Officers had just found that 31 states reported budget gaps totaling $29.7 billion for fiscal year 2009. It became apparent that state lawmak- ers could guarantee to spare K-12 classroom activities from the budget cuts that needed to be made. On the other hand, a large infusion of funds — what was seen as the largest-ever federal in- vestment in education — would be welcomed by many in the private sector. But by the end of 2009, the talk turned to the dangers of the


“funding cliff.” Recovery Act funds were always meant to be a one-time infusion of funds, and the funds came with the federal government’s “maintenance of effort” provision, which makes states receiving stimulus funds promise to maintain funding at fiscal year 2006 levels, noted an October 2009 report from CNN. However, some states were using K-12 stimulus funds to fill


gaps in their education budgets due to decreasing revenues and resources tied to the recession. Te original intent was that the


28 School Transportation News Magazine January 2010


ARRA would cushion the effects of the recession and help drive a recovery, but according to a study from late August by the American Association of School Administrators, the funds “are simply backfilling budget holes, limiting the ability of districts to implement innovative reforms.” Te study, “Schools and the Stimulus: How America’s Public School Districts Are Using ARRA Funds,” showed that administrators are thankful for the funding but believe there is a lack of flexibility when it comes to using it. So at this point in time, we are still waiting for the final ver-


dict on the Recovery Act’s effectiveness. Exactly what return on investment will the country receive from it? How many jobs will be created or saved? What innovations in education will schools experience as a result? And what effect, if any, would the funds have on school transportation? While many of those questions remain unanswered, there are


examples from several states on how they used Recovery Act funds to help local districts invest in the future of school transportation.


FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA.


What was approved for funding: Te hiring of a full-time transportation specialist whose sole job responsibility is to provide individualized transportation assis- tance to homeless children to remain in their schools of origin


ARRA funding was received through: McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program allocations from funds made available under Public Law (PL) 111-5


Last school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) identi-


fied 1,904 students in the district as homeless. Tis school year, the district is providing special transportation for 209 homeless students to continue attending their schools of origin. But the size and geography of Fairfax County — some 407


square miles — presents unique challenges regarding transporta- tion of homeless students, explained Kathi Sheffel, the homeless liaison for FCPS.


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