American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The following communication was received today from the Kansas Association of School Boards on the pending American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

"The House Appropriations Committee reported the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" last night by a vote of 35-22. The legislation would provide critically-needed increases for key education programs and school districts nationwide. The Ways and Means Committee and other House Committees are meeting to consider their respective sections this bill (e.g. tax measures, healthcare, energy, etc.) this week, and KASB will continue to provide you updates.

NSBA has provided a great link that shows the impact of this stimulus measure on every school district in the United States. We would encourage you to look at it and see the projections for your district. Simply scroll down the list using the states on the left side of the document as the guide. Then go look for your district ... they are listed alphabetically. The site is:

http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/2009StimulusLeasfinal.pdf

After this review, make sure to contact your member of the Kansas Congressional delegation and urge their support.

You may also want to share this incredible resource with the members of your district that are not members of KASB's Governmental Relations Network (GRN) or Federal Relations Network (FRN).

Jim Edwards
Assistant Executive Director/Board Development
Kansas Association of School Boards"

Schools Bracing for Budget Cuts

Check out the following link to an article in a southeast Kansas newspaper that outlines how schools in Kansas are preparing for possible budget cuts: click here.

School Funding Divides Senators

Check out the following article in the Topeka Capital Journal in regard to the Kansas Senate's work on school funding: click here.

School Stimulus News

Check out the latest details on the school stimulus package via USA Today: click here.

Key areas identified include:

• high quality educational tests
• recruitment and retention of top teachers
• longitudinal data systems that allow schools to track long-term progress
• assistance for modernizing and fixing school buildings

I will post more information as it comes my way.

K-12 Funding "Freeze" in Kansas

According to the Topeka Capital Journal, budget director Duane Goossen said Governor Sebelius is proposing a freeze of state appropriations to K-12 public schools at the level approved by the 2008 Legislature, but would surrender more than $180 million that was earmarked for education.

In this time of discontinuity there is much opportunity to assist schools in Kansas in their time of need. They will need Greenbush and our business partners now more than ever.

I would strongly encourage you to consider some of the following initiatives to serve schools in Kansas:

• pricing specials for spring 2008 through June 30
• creating opportunities for multi-school district cooperation to further decrease costs
• provide opportunities for school districts to spend this year's funds for next year's products/services
• add value to products/services through incentives such as additional products or discounts for school districts that make purchases between now and June 30

Please contact me to establish a plan to make school districts in Kansas aware of any special promotions you currently have.

Now is the Time to Market to Educators

Two reasons:

1. Schools still have money to spend in their existing 2008-09 budgets and March, April and May are when they spend it.
2. Schools are budgeting for 2009-10. Make sure your products are top-of-mind as budgets are finalized in March, April and May.

67% of all school budgets are finalized in March, April, May and June.

Any questions?