Stimulus funds' impact on school budgets considered

Washington Post: Hitch in stimulus funds for schools

Some state and local governments are taking away funds to schools as federal stimulus funds come in. For example, after hearing that an initial batch of $11.8 million in federal funds would soon arrive in Virginia's Loudoun County, supervisors cut $7.3 million from the schools budget. They also made clear that if more federal recovery money flows to schools, schools might be asked to give back an equal amount of county dollars.

The budget shifts in Loudoun County offer a case study of a phenomenon that worries educators nationwide. When all is done, will the stimulus money from Washington be enough to transform classrooms?

Education Secretary Arne Duncan has warned states against playing "shell games" with money aimed at schools. The stimulus law and regulations have strings to protect against big drops in education funding but allow the most cash-strapped states to seek some flexibility.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Bill introduced to seal handgun permit records

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe announces Lottery Commission appointees

FLORIDA: Rep. Meek opposes Obama's plan on remittances to Cuba

GEORGIA: Gubernatorial candidate pushes for road from Savannah to Chattanooga

KENTUCKY: Consortium of 50 companies pushes for car battery plant

LOUISIANA: A look at the irony of stimulus funds for flood monitoring

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour hosts stimulus summit

NORTH CAROLINA: Working to prevent land loss among rural African-Americans

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate to vote on stimulus today

TENNESSEE: Cubans in Nashville praise Obama's lifting of restrictions

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine fights for additional funds for jobless

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to: info@bettersouth.org