Superintendent Juneau Signs Application for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2009
For More Information: Linda Kaiser 444-3160, Tyler Trevor 444-0307
SUPERINTENDENT JUNEAU SIGNS APPLICATION FOR STATE FISCAL STABILIZATION FUNDS
On Monday, June 29, 2009, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau joined Governor Brian Schweitzer in submitting Montana's application for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds known as State Fiscal Stabilization Funds to U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan. Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns submitted a letter in support of the application.
The 2009 Montana Legislature appropriated approximately $62.1 million in HB645 to be used, in part, to fund a portion of the 3% increase in K-12 BASE aid related to the Basic and per- ANB entitlements for the next two school-years.
"We welcome the opportunity to apply for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds will help schools make it through these tough economic times in order to maintain quality education services for students. We are committed to rapidly distributing the funds once the state's application is approved by the Secretary" said Superintendent Juneau.
The 2009 Montana Legislature appropriated approximately $60 million in Education Stabilization funding to the Montana University System.† These funds enabled the Board of Regents to bolster their commitment to access and affordability by allowing a tuition freeze to continue on all two-year campuses and at smaller four-year colleges.
Commissioner Stearns stated, "Education Stabilization funding comprised a considerable portion of our budget and essentially laid the foundation for general and educational operations to be delivered at the high level Montanans have come to expect."
Visit the Office of Public Instruction's website at www.opi.mt.gov for additional information regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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