By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ 245 school districts will receive up to $569.9 million over the next six months in federal stimulus funding, Education Commissioner Ken James told school officials from across the state Friday.

James met with more than 1,000 school district, charter school and education cooperative personnel at North Little Rock School District’s East Campus and discussed not only the funding process, but also what the money can and cannot be spent on and how to apply for the funds.

“Let’s not just spend the money the same way we always have,” he told reporters, recalling his comments to the educators. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to think outside the proverbial box.”

The state Education Department will release estimates next week on how much each district is expected to receive, James said, adding that the amounts, based on enrollment, will range “from hundreds of thousands of dollars to several million dollars.”

James said the Little Rock School District, the largest in the state, will receive more than $20 million.

Of the $569.9 million in funding, $111.1 million will be available for schools to improve academic performance and narrow the achievement gap.

About $117 million will be available special education and services to students with disabilities.

The remaining $341.1 million will be available for renovation of school facilities and construction. Originally the money was not to be used for new construction, but the U.S. Department of Education changed that rule recently.

James said districts will be able to begin applying for the funding May 15 and he suggested school officials consider four questions when deciding how to spend their share of the funds.

• Will the funds be spent quickly to save and create jobs?
• Will student achievement improve?
• Will there be transparency in reporting and accountability?
• Will the money be placed in one-time programs that will not obligate the district financially when the money is gone within two years?

During his meeting with school officials, James said a variety of questions were asked, including whether the money could be used for teacher bonuses and if the money could be used for parking lots.

James said teacher bonuses were permissible, but he suggested they be tied to student performance or some other incentive. As for parking lots, he said they would probably be allowed but questioned whether that would be the most efficient way to spend the money.

As for new construction, James said he doubted many districts would build new buildings because the projects would have to be completed by the end of 2011.

“There is the highest level of security with the money, especially with the state money,” he said, adding that the U.S. Department of Education will be monitoring how the money is spent and will stop additional funding if the funds are spent unwisely.