Newport Schools Could Receive Nearly $500K in Federal Funds, With Caveat

The Rhode Island Department of Education has estimated that the Newport Public Schools district could receive $495,479 from the federal government's education jobs bill.

Rhode Island is one of the first states to receive its allocation—$33 million—from the bill, which is intended to save teachers' jobs in the 2010-11 school year. Federal guidelines state that districts must use funds only "for compensation and benefits and other expenses, such as support services, necessary to retain existing employees, to recall or rehire former employees, and to hire new employees, in order to provide early childhood, elementary, or secondary educational and related services."

RIDE Spokesman Elliot Krieger said Thursday that "districts will have access to these funds right away, and can spend them over two years." Rather than receive a check, Krieger said districts are expected to submit their expenses to RIDE and they will be reimbursed.

"The money sits in an account that the U.S. Department of Education establishes," Krieger said. "When districts report back about their allowable expenditures, we'll draw down from that account. RIDE won't have the money until it's expended."

Any funds remaining after the 2010-11 school year can be used up until Sept. 30, 2012.

That said, Education Commissioner Deborah Gist is advising school districts to be cautious about how they spend the money, and when. Gov. Carcieri previously stated that he wanted to use the $33 million to fill a shortfall in the state's Medicaid funding, after state leaders expected to receive $107 million, but got $70 million. While it was determined that Carcieri does not have the authority to reallocate the money, the state legislature could decide to cut the state's funding for education by that $33 million amount next year and divert it to Medicaid.

In a statement to superintendents on Sept. 1, Gist said districts "should continue
to attain savings through efficiencies and conservative spending until the final determination is made."

Krieger said the numbers could change slightly, but as it stands, Newport is slated to receive $495,479. Middletown has been allocated $438,250, and Portsmouth, $273,250. The Providence School District is expected to receive $2.6 million.

Newport Superintendent John Ambrogi said Thursday afternoon that he has received no information yet on when the district will receive the funds, and that he's not making any plans to spend it once it's arrived.

"There's no preliminary talks because it's not real money yet," Ambrogi said. "This is like 'the check's in the mail,' and I'm not that optimistic. If we get it, I'll be happy. If we don't, I won't be surprised."

Ambrogi said he would certainly like to use the funds for the purpose they were intended—saving teachers' jobs—but "whether that ultimately happens is another story.

"If in fact we get the money, then we'll try and see how we can use it to the best advantage of our kids," he said.