Statement by Anne L. Bryant
Executive Director, National School Boards Association

Alexandria, Va., - February 25, 2010 - NSBA Executive Director Anne L. Bryant issued the following statement urging the Congress’ swift passage of a strong jobs package that includes targeted assistance to school districts and states for education.

"While the Senate's recent action is a good step, NSBA urges continued diligence in passing a jobs package that includes fiscal aid to school districts and states. This is critical to helping our nation’s schools continue effective programs and save jobs.

"Most, if not all, of the State Fiscal Stabilization Funding provided last year has been utilized. For Fiscal Year 2011, state budget shortfalls for elementary and secondary education could be as much as $38 billion. Immediate federal assistance is needed now to stop this decline.

"The House of Representatives passed a jobs package last December that included an education fund to help save teachers’ jobs and support those for school infrastructure. Both of these purposes would provide an immediate benefit to communities and long-term benefits for academic achievement. We urge the Senate to consider a similar measure that will help our school districts continue to advance student achievement and save jobs.

"Many states and school districts utilized the majority of federal assistance through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year to alleviate budget shortfalls for state education aid. As districts and states develop FY2011 budgets, a combined shortfall of approximately $180 billion persists among states because of the economy and unemployment. The loss of jobs in communities has impacted local and state revenues for education and other vital public services. In January 2010, states and localities cut 41,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"We have seen the devastating results of lay-offs in our school districts including: larger class sizes that do not facilitate the type of interaction and specialized instruction for many students and teachers; the loss of specialists for intervention programs such as reading and math coaches and after school tutoring; and discontinued extracurricular programs that help provide a well-rounded education program for our students.

"Congress must act now and provide fiscal stabilization funding for school districts, which will have immediate benefits in our communities and help our children become globally competitive for the future."

Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association (www.nsba.org) is a not-for-profit organization representing State Associations of school boards and their member districts across the United States. Its mission is to work with and through all its State Association members to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective in working with federal government agencies and national organizations that impact education, and provides vital information and services to state associations of school boards throughout the nation.

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Contact:
Linda Embrey, Communications Office
National School Boards Association
703-838-6737; lembrey@nsba.org
www.nsba.org; http://boardbuzz.nsba.org

Audio event link:  Feb 23, 2010 - Governor Markell (DE), Anne Bryant (NSBA), and Robert Greenstein (Center on Budget Policy and Priorities) highlight needs for legislation