Norwalk Has No Set Plans on How to Use Stimulus $$

With one week left to go before the start of a new school year, Norwalk schools have not figured out how they are going to use additional funds that have been provided through the federal government's stimulus program.

The Hour reports that Norwalk is scheduled to get $1,121,366 in supplemental Title 1 money, which goes to Norwalk's Title 1 schools -- Brookside, Cranbury, Fox Run, Kendall, Jefferson, Marvin, Silvermine and Wolfpit elementary schools and Side by Side Community School.

However principals at the Title 1 schools must write "budget narratives" to outline how the funds will be used before the money is disbursed.

In contrast the Connecticut Post reported on Sunday that many other school districts in the state have very specific and thought out plans.

In Bridgeport for instance:

The money will help expand Lexia, a computer-based tutoring program used now in just kindergarten. It will be offered through sixth grade. The program allows students to work on weak reading and math skills. In addition to the software,
teachers will be trained in how to use it.

The money will also expand Total Learning, a program runs in conjunction with Action for Bridgeport Community Development, the city's largest Head Start provider. Total Learning infuses art, music and dance into the curriculum, assigns an aide in the classroom, offers a longer school day and gives students and their parents extra help. It is now in more than a dozen kindergarten and first grade classes.

In Milford:

Clifford Bugyi, supervisor of administrative services, said the $377,000 in new Title I money will be used to create before- and after-school math classes at West Shore and Harborside middle schools. A similar program offered in writing a few years back showed impressive results.

And in Stratford:

The Superintendent of Schools Irene Cornish said the district's new $574,000 in Title I money will go toward making both elementary and secondary teachers better at teaching reading. They plan to use a program run by Yale University.

The Hour reports that the Norwalk is also slated to receive 2.5 million in special education funds. This past Thursday the state audited the files of the nearly 200 children in Norwalk's special ed program to make sure that all issues of non-compliance have been addressed.

According to the Connecticut Post, cities in neighboring towns already have a plan on how they plan to use the stimulus funds for special education or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Bridgeport will use its additional $6 million in IDEA money to provide more psychological services and testing to its kindergarten through second grade population as well as teacher training to all K-2 teachers, said John Di Donato, the city's assistant superintendent for youth development.

The hope, he said, is to do a better job assessing young children who may be in a crisis situation to determine if a special education referral is appropriate or some other short-term intervention

And in Derby:

The district will use its $343,000 in IDEA money to establish a new program at the elementary level for autistic children. The program will be small, for about two to three children. The money will also help offset the cost of raises for the special education staff.

So what's happening in Norwalk? Officials have known for several months that there would be stimulus funding available for certain purposes. Some may argue that the departure of Sal Corda hobbled planning. On the other hand, he was in his position until the end of July, and it is ultimately the BOE's responsibility to ensure that the district's priorities are set and met.