The Clark County School District (CCSD) has joined the Council of the Great City Schools in urging Congress to approve new funding for local school systems in the next coronavirus supplemental appropriations bill. The Council is the nation’s primary coalition of large urban public-school districts.
In a letter to Capitol Hill, the organization calls for an additional federal allocation of $175 billion in Educational Stabilization Funds to be distributed to the local level through the Title I formula. The group also urges Congress to provide an additional $13 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), $12 billion in additional Title I program funding, $2 billion for E-Rate, and emergency infrastructure funds that include public schools.
The letter has been signed individually by 62 big-city superintendents including CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara. The letter asks federal lawmakers for financial support to help offset the unexpected costs districts are incurring in providing meal services to students and transforming from school-based to home-based learning in the wake of school closures. Even as aggressive as schools have been in providing instruction at a distance, districts continue to need resources to provide electronic learning devices and internet connections to every child.
“There has never been a more critical time to ensure that all our students have access to the right technology,” said Dr. Jara. “While we have made some progress in our district, the current closure and the need to provide equitable learning at home opportunities has amplified the technology challenges we face. We must make sure that our students are top of mind at the national level so that CCSD students have access to every possible opportunity available.”
As many school districts are doing around the nation, CCSD is looking at a possible forecasted budget deficit because of anticipated declines in state and local revenues. Significant revenue shortfalls are looming for local school systems, as well, with several big-city school districts projecting 15 to 25 percent cuts in overall revenues going into next school year. According to the Council, an estimated 20 percent loss in combined state and local revenues would likely result in some 275,000 teachers being laid off in big-city public school systems alone.
“With additional federal funds, America’s public schools will be able to add summer school, expand the school day after reopening in the fall, retain and stabilize our teaching force, address the needs of our most vulnerable students, narrow the digital divide, and have a fighting chance at salvaging the futures of millions of young people,” said the letter.
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