Letter to U.S. House of Representatives: February 13, 2009

Member
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

RE:     American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - H.R. 1 
           Conference Committee Report

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 95,000 local school board members and 49 million public school students represented by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) through our state associations, I am writing to urge your strong support and vote in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is crucial to helping our school districts maintain high-quality education services and sustain thousands of jobs for teachers and personnel. H.R. 1 would also provide the resources to create thousands of jobs and contracting opportunities for school modernization. The legislation is both timely and targeted, proposing investments in key education programs that face unprecedented budget shortfalls impacting the level of education services. Also, the bill’s provisions for temporary state stabilization funding are necessary to mitigate state and local budget cuts to education at a time when more than forty states are facing a combined shortfall of approximately $350 billion.

This legislation could not come at a more critical time for our schools and our nation. School district operating budgets are at a severe disadvantage and need immediate federal assistance. Many of our districts are facing enormous economic uncertainty with state budget shortfalls, declines in local revenues used for education, teacher and personnel lay-offs, and deferrals of school repairs and maintenance. Without the provisions proposed for K-12 education programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the nation’s 14,350 school districts will encounter even greater peril as our communities try to counter effects of the recession.

Again, the legislation’s provisions for education are very timely – Title I grants for disadvantaged students and special education to school infrastructure, education technology, assistance to students affected by the housing crisis, teacher quality, data systems and assessments, and school construction bonds. These and other investments proposed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are paramount to the success of our nation’s students and to America’s competitiveness in the global economy.

NSBA greatly appreciates Congress’ efforts to address the economic crisis and its impact on our students and school districts. We urge Congress’ strong bipartisan support and swift passage of the legislation.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Resnick
Associate Executive Director