RTTT embraced by local school districts, some local education associations
May 24th, 2010 by marietta nelsonWashington state’s application for the Department of Education’s Race to the Top grants is in process, carrying with it endorsements from almost all Washington public schools. Check out the story I wrote about it last week. But not everyone is on board.
Lots of branches of the statewide teachers union have not signed on, including those in Central and North Kitsap.
Bremerton’s Education Association did sign on, though President Tina Mahaney said it was philosophically hard to do. “Philosophically we are against competing because we don’t feel we should have to compete for money for basic education,” she said. However, BEA members agreed that it would be wrong to pass by a chance to gain funds for the schools when budget cuts come every year. “We can’t afford to let any money pass us by if it’s out there,” Mahaney added. Bremerton schools stand to gain more (over $1.1 million) from RTTT than any other local district. The level of poverty among students in the Bremerton schools entitles them to more federal funds each year than any other local district. Under RTTT, that Title I status also could garner Bremerton schools more money. (In comparison, CK schools have almost twice the enrollment as Bremerton, but without the district-wide Title I status CK only gets a little more than $900,000.)
South Kitsap Education Association signed on too to “be collaborative” with the school district, said Judy Arbogast, SKEA president. There is concern among SKEA members about the extra workload created by the potential of new federal money. Arbogast said there are many unknowns, including the “cost-benefit analysis.” Arbogast also said that there is a mixed message. On the one hand, schools are charged with meeting the needs of every child under the federal No Child Left Behind law, but now they are competing for the money to do it. “We shouldn’t be fighting for the money that is needed,” she said.
Catherine Ahl, a former NK school board member and active participant these days in the League of Women Voters, has been against RTTT for several months. She wrote an email to me late last week.
“I recommended voting against it although I don’t think WA has a chance in Hell of winning anyway. I believe if money comes from the federal government there will be strings attached and reporting requirements that might cost many of the dollars received. If the state doesn’t receive the money, schools might still be mandated to do what they signed up for. This seems to be a diversion from the (NEWS) lawsuit ruling. It will do nothing about funding transportation, utility, curriculum replacement etc. that local levies are paying for. The state continues to ignore its Constitutional duty.”
Some estimate that Washington has only a 20 percent chance of winning any RTTT money. Remember in the last go-around of RTTT awards only two states, Delaware and Tennessee, won grants.
Tags: RTTT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
May 24th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I second what Catherine says, but on another note: How much is it going to cost each district to implement RTTT if awarded the funds? Is it worth the small amount of money each school district would receive from the Federal govt?
May 25th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
If SKSD actually receives the RTTT money how long will it take for them to have another levy increase to make up for the future loss of RTTT funds? Or will it be an levy increase to fund the new positions needed to manage the flood of Federal paperwork and special requirements that RTTT will eventually open the gates to?
You have to admit it is funny to see the school districts have to fight and compete over funding because the State of Washington still can not figure out how to fund education. It is smoke and mirrors, distract the school districts, confuse the voters, and cost the taxpayers dearly. By golly, our elected officials in Olympia and Washington D.C. are working for our benefit. Just as long as our wallets stay open, we stay uninformed and they stay in office.
It is time for some changes in Olympia and Washington D.C.
Roger Gay
South Kitsap
May 28th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Roger,
SKSD has not committed to accepting RTTT fundings. We have formally agreed to be open to the possibility. The fact is that many school districts, across the nation, are concerned about whether RTTT funding will be meaningful towards true improvements in education or simply a way to extract compliance with federal strings.
IF it proves to be meaningful and aligned with our strategic inititives AND the State of Washington gets any RTTT funding, we certainly won’t turn down funding to improve the quality of public education in South Kitsap. But, if the RTTT funding mandates aren’t aligned with our own strategic initiatives, we don’t have to accept it.
If it proves to be a way to extract compliance, instead of being compelling tool towards our strategic objectives, we will have a 90 day window of opportunity to take a pass accepting the funding.
I agree that it is time for some changes in Olympia and Washington DC. To spend so much time and effort in Olympia on RTTT has been a distraction. We should be moving forward to fixing the mess that the State has already created in the mechanics of funding public education. Let us be visionary! It isn’t just about money. It is about improving the culture and expectations of our public education system.
May 28th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Renee,
It has yet to be seen whether it will be worth it because we haven’t seen the vehicle yet.
I was car shopping a few weeks ago. Cars can look really good from afar. But when you get close enough to look under the hood, check the brakes, and evaluate the small problems with the vehicle, you may very well decide that it isn’t as good a value as it looks like from afar.
We are very concerned that this might be the case with RTTT.