Norman Public Schools took initial steps to put the district in the pot for a potential portion of $175 million, during a special board meeting Monday night.
Under the Obama administration, Oklahoma could receive $175 million in Race to the Top grant funding -- part of the Obama stimulus initiative for schools -- from a total of $4.5 billion to be divvied out across the nation.
Superintendent Joe Siano said the unanimous Monday night vote on the memorandum, which is due Tuesday, puts the district in the position to accept the dollars -- geared toward school reform -- if offered.
"It's like saying 'hey, we're in,'" Siano said. "Tonight's vote just assures that we could continue with the process."
The funds are being controlled by the Department of Education in Washington and would come through the governor's office, he said.
He said the amount given to the district would be based on its Title I formula. Siano doesn't think, however, that the funding will be inclusive to Title 1 schools, of which Norman has 13, because it includes broader items like professional development and teacher evaluations.
Carla Kimberling, assistant superintendent for educational services, said the district received notice of the potential funding before the winter break and has to turn in the board's approval of the memorandum today.
"It was pretty quick," she said.
And since the district won't officially meet until Jan. 25, it called a special meeting to vote on the memorandum.
Unlike other Oklahoma stimulus dollars aimed largely at filling the state's budget hole, money from the Race to the Top grant was set aside by the Obama Administration specifically for school reform.
"We would consider this to be money on top," Siano said.
Siano said the district hasn't heard when it would receive the money, but it would probably be a 2010-2011 school year implementation. He also said the district hasn't crafted a list of potential projects.
Kimberling said the specifics for the grant and its requirements still are cloudy.
"We won't know until we see it," she said. "But we have an out if we get it and decide we want to opt out."
Local news
Norman Public Schools seeking piece of Race to the Top grant
- Local news
-
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
Norman residents most likely will not notice any property tax increase from bonds awarded to an underwriter by the Norman City Council on Tuesday night, city Finance Director Anthony Francisco said....
-
Police link man to multiple rapes
Cleveland County prosecutors are expected to file as many as 20 felony charges ranging from burglary to first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy against a former OU student who police say confessed to sexual assaults on Norman college ...
-
Preliminary hearing set for former OU professor
By Joel Pruett On Tuesday, the preliminary hearing for a former University of Oklahoma professor suspected of rape and sexual abuse of and lewd acts with children was set for May 10....
-
School board results
The unofficial results of yesterday night’s election are in, with no close races and no reported complications with new machinery and ballots. Voters largely favored incumbents where applicable. Results are as follows: · Lexington ...
-
Pedestrian in serious condition
A 64-year-old Norman man improved from critical condition to serious condition Tuesday night. He remains in OU Medical Center after being struck Monday while crossing 12th Avenue Northeast, north of Main Street....
-
Pekingese becomes America’s top dog
NEW YORK — This Peke was at his peak. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, becoming America’s dog to the delight of an adoring crowd that called his name....
-
Castiglione speaks at All Saints
Earlier this month, Catholic schools nationwide celebrated Catholic Schools week with various themed activities and fundraisers....
-
NPS to purchase radios
The FCC killed the wideband star, and it’s about to cost Norman Public Schools Schools up to $200,000....
-
Marc Heitz raises nearly $32K for hungry children
Spinning around an ice skating rink, many Norman residents contributed to raising nearly $32,000 to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma during the past holiday season....
-
City council considers transportation bonds
Tonight at 6:30, the Norman City Council will vote on whether to approve bids on transportion bonds totaling $33 million. If approved, the bond package will go to voters on June 26. The council also will consider whether to commission a ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
