By Carmen McCollum, Times of Northwest Indiana
carmen.mccollum@nwi.com
Merrillville Schools Superintendent Tony Lux is hoping Race to the Top dollars, if approved, can be used to maintain instructional programs that may otherwise be facing reduction or elimination due to a state cut in funds.
Race to the Top refers to the $4.35 billion in competitive grants available to states which have taken innovative steps to improve student learning.
"The first round of federal stimulus money was intended to save jobs and instructional programs while providing assistance and support to students who are behind academically," Lux said. "Everyone's efforts will be to continue to close achievement gaps and get higher percentages of students to grade level."
It's too early to know if there will be limitations or specifications in how the money can be spent, and school districts will have to wait and see exactly what the state's application outlines, Lux said.
In light of plans to cut $300 million in K-12 education, any grant money will be welcomed by local school districts.
Gov. Mitch Daniels said last week he'd like to cut public education without teacher layoffs or an increase in class size.
Duneland School Superintendent Dirk Baer said he has already streamlined operations to the point where any further cuts will involve programs, which means people.
"It means everything is on the table," Baer said.
He said they have frozen salaries for administrators and classified staff. He said there were no raises for employees this year. He is estimating an 8 percent cut in the general fund next year which could mean up to $4 million for the school district.
Baer said there's been discussion for years about things like merit pay for teachers but he said "that's easier said than done and would have to be part of any collective bargaining agreement."
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is seeking $250 million in Race to the Top funds. If approved, Indiana's program will be referred to as "Fast Forward."
Bennett is asking schools to submit an agreement to the Fast Forward program by Jan. 12. The state intends to submits its application to the U.S. Department of Education by Jan. 19.
Winners will be announced in April.