The California Department of Education has developed a list of Web links to key information about the use and initial reporting guidance for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
Superintendents and other senior district-level administrators are encouraged to review these materials with district and school site staff and board members, and use them as they make plans to use ARRA funds.
Resources include:
• CDE’s ARRA Web page at www.cde.ca.gov/ar.
• A compilation of U.S. Department of Education resources providing examples of potential uses for ARRA funds at www.cde.ca.gov/ar/ov/potentialuses.asp.
• Guidance on quarterly reporting requirements pursuant to Section 1512 of ARRA. The Office of Management and Budget has released government-wide guidance for carrying out reporting requirements of Section 1512 of the ARRA, a list of programs subject to recipient reporting, and a recipient reporting data model at www.cde.ca.gov/ar/rr/index.asp.
• Frequently asked questions regarding the ARRA funding under IDEA at www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/arrafaq.asp.
To date, approximately $2 billion in federal stimulus funds have been released to California school districts and county offices. Approximately $880 million in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds will be going out to LEAs in early- to mid-July. Per-LEA amounts for these SFSF funds will be based on the percentage of 2008-09 reductions to LEA categorical programs and revenue limits.
California was the first state to submit its ARRA funding application and the first to start receiving funds. ACSA members may recall that the state sought an amendment to its application in order to lower its overall maintenance of effort obligations in light of pending state budget reductions. Federal officials approved the amendment two weeks ago.
CDE will issue further guidance on LEA reporting requirements once the federal government has provided that information. Guidance on Title 1 carryover beyond 15 percent is expected to be released in the near future.