During the September 27th House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott urged the committee to preserve the Foundation School Program and fully fund instructional materials.
The committee questioned Commissioner Scott on the edujobs bill trying to ascertain if the Texas Education Agency (TEA) had done everything it could to obtain the federal funding. Scott noted that TEA had filed an application and had carried on discussions with the federal government in an effort to quickly obtain the funding. Since those efforts have failed, a possible next step could for the legislature to make necessary appropriations during session so TEA can apply for the $830 million. Additionally, as noted above, the Attorney General has also filed a petition in regards to the funding.
When the committee inquired on steps needed to help school districts, Scott again urged them to preserve the Foundation School Program.
The written testimony TEA presented to the committee in regards to the dispersal of funds they received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can be found at: http://txstimulusfund.com/userfiles/file/TEA%20Executive%20Summary%20-%20ARRA%20House%20Com%20Report%209-23-10.pdf