State Funding Allocations Announced for Oklahoma Schools

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma schools now know how much money they have received from the federal Education Jobs Act that was enacted in August.

State Superintendent Sandy Garrett informed each Oklahoma school superintendent of their district's official allocation.

"This funding comes at a very critical time when our schools are struggling amid record enrollment and $200 million less in state funding than what they were appropriated in 2009," Garrett said.

View the allocations for Oklahoma districts.

The amount of funding allocated was generated through the state's school funding formula.

Under the Education Jobs Act, school districts have the flexibility of spending all, some or none of the funds this fiscal year, but must be spent by school districts by September 30, 2012.

"Some districts may decide to spend some or all of the funds this school year because, for example, their class sizes have grown to distressing levels and they want to hire more teachers," said Garrett. "Others may decide to spend some or all of their funds next year when the federal stimulus funds expire that have been put into their State Aid."

Oklahoma City Public Schools released the following statement:

"The financial outlook for Oklahoma City Public Schools is improving daily and the $7 million awarded to the district from the Federal Education Jobs Act will help. Oklahoma City Public Schools will use the allocation to build the district fund balance to help offset expected losses in federal funds for the 2011-2012 school year," said OKCPS Administration Spokesperson, Tierney Cook.