This week the Broward County Board Board (Florida) became the first in the nation to formally seek a federal bailout from the $700-plus billion package Congress has passed for the financial industry (and possible the automakers). This Sun Sentinel article said Broward is requesting up to $500 million in loans from the federal government to renovate buildings, purchase school equipment, which in turn would create jobs.
“It’s an economic stimulus package,” [James] Notter [district superintendent] said. “That puts a lot of people to work.”
Broward is not alone in seeking a bailout. Other districts, formally or informally, have considered that, see this and this .
But what chance do the nation’s schools have in getting a bailout? Craig Wood, a professor at the University of Florida’s College of Education, said they are unlikely, according to the article. Notter will send the board’s request to the district’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz for support.
Although a bailout for schools might not be likely, Rep. Wasserman-Schultz said she would support some sort of block grants to states specifically for schools. See her comment here during a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee this week
Bailout or not, the reactions from these school districts beg the question of how our nation’s cash-strapped schools should be included in the upcoming stimulus package to be considered by President-elect Obama.
NSBA has put out its own recommendations here.
