I set out about two weeks ago to find out exactly what formula and numbers were being used to calculate federal stimulus funding for Title I grants. As The Record has reported, Kiryas Joel School District is receiving a large amount of money, while Highland Falls is receiving none. I have asked six spokesmen at the state and federal level to explain the process and provide specific numbers.
Both federal and state officials have publicly noted that the distribution of federal stimulus money would be more transparent than any process we’ve seen before and have a high level of accountability.
Here’s what they mean:
A U.S. Department of Education spokesman deferred comment to Congress, which approved the formula.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. George Miller, the House education chair, deferred answers to the New York State Governor’s Office and provided a link to the Title I Act. After prodding, the spokesman offered a canned quote and deferred further comment to the state.
A governor’s budget office employee deferred comment to the governor’s press office.
The governor’s press office directed me to the governor’s budget office spokesman.
A governor’s press office spokesman then talked with the budget office spokesman and directed me to the state education press office.
The state education receptionist said all stimulus questions were to go to the budget office. Upon insistence and an email, the department of education press office agreed to answer my questions last Thursday.
With no answers as of Monday, I again called the governor’s press office, who contacted the department of education spokesman. I was promised answers by the end of business Tuesday.
It is the end of the day on Wednesday.
The state comptroller’s office spokeswoman said they are currently developing their procedures for accountability and oversight. For further comment she said I should talk to the lead agency at the federal level.
I think I can guess what they’ll tell me.
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Meghan E. Murphy covers the Towns of Montgomery, Shawangunk and Marlboro, as well as Education for the Times Herald-Record. Email her news tips and comments at mmurphy@th-record.com. Read Full
School stimulus transparency and accountability 101
I set out about two weeks ago to find out exactly what formula and numbers were being used to calculate federal stimulus funding for Title I grants. As The Record has reported, Kiryas Joel School District is receiving a large amount of money, while Highland Falls is receiving none. I have asked six spokesmen at the state and federal level to explain the process and provide specific numbers.
Both federal and state officials have publicly noted that the distribution of federal stimulus money would be more transparent than any process we’ve seen before and have a high level of accountability.
Here’s what they mean:
A U.S. Department of Education spokesman deferred comment to Congress, which approved the formula.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. George Miller, the House education chair, deferred answers to the New York State Governor’s Office and provided a link to the Title I Act. After prodding, the spokesman offered a canned quote and deferred further comment to the state.
A governor’s budget office employee deferred comment to the governor’s press office.
The governor’s press office directed me to the governor’s budget office spokesman.
A governor’s press office spokesman then talked with the budget office spokesman and directed me to the state education press office.
The state education receptionist said all stimulus questions were to go to the budget office. Upon insistence and an email, the department of education press office agreed to answer my questions last Thursday.
With no answers as of Monday, I again called the governor’s press office, who contacted the department of education spokesman. I was promised answers by the end of business Tuesday.
It is the end of the day on Wednesday.
The state comptroller’s office spokeswoman said they are currently developing their procedures for accountability and oversight. For further comment she said I should talk to the lead agency at the federal level.
I think I can guess what they’ll tell me.