American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

  • American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Allocations for FSPS

    • Title I — Total allocation $4,363,049
    • Required Set-asides — $956,240 Title I regulations require that funds be reserved Supplemental Educational Services in schools designated in School Improvement, and for  parent involvement  programs in all schools. The set-aside also includes the required allocation for participating private schools.
    • ELA Curriculum  Materials   (All Schools) — $369,194 These programs include multiple leveled series which are designed  to meet the needs of English language learners. The materials are accompanied by appropriate training and follow-up for teachers.
    • Title I Allocations to Secondary Schools — $1,173,391 Allocations will be provided to six secondary schools (Chaffin, Kimmons, Darby, Ramsey, Northside and Belle Point) to facilitate their participation in Title I approved programs. Activities will be designed by each school and will include assistance for students who have not achieved proficiency, staff development where appropriate and other eligible expenditures.
    • SIOP Training and Follow-up — $326,400 Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a nationally-acclaimed and popular model of lesson delivery.  Although it has particular advantages for English Language Learners (ELL), it has been proven as highly effective with poverty children as well. Generally, this teaching model offers "something for everyone." All kinds of learners benefit from this specific professional development which emphasizes lesson preparation and the adaptation of content for each student. SIOP addresses the potential of all children who do not have the same kinds of life experiences, and gives the teachers ways in which they can help to build the necessary background for learning. It also includes components which cause teachers to reflect upon and improve the way in which they present the material and encourage the interaction/response of the students in each lesson. SIOP also teaches teachers how to review and assess the success of the lesson among all of the children in the classroom.

"Sheltered Instruction" generally means that educators will ensure that children will receive the instruction they need to be successful.
    • Extended Year Instruction Pilots — $450,000 Intense summer instruction for students in schools with high percentages of students who lack proficiency will be piloted at Morrison Elementary School during 2009 with additional pilots to be identified for 2010.
    • Whole School Reform Model — $810,000 Schools in years four through six of school improvement must adopt a "whole school" reform model approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. This investment will include intense intervention by specialists at nine schools (Howard, Morrison, Sunnymede, Sutton, Tilles, Trusty, Darby, Kimmons and Northside). 

    • Professional Development in Math Instruction — $277,824 Teachers in Grades K-6 will be provided training by Marilyn Burns in Do the Math!, a proven model of improved math instruction. IDEA Preschool —Total Allocation $135,156

    • Preschool teacher (2 years) — $100,000
 The number of students with disabilities in the preschool age-group require the addition of another teacher. This can  be appropriately funded with ARRA funds during the next two years. 

    • Playground improvements — $35,156
 Students in this age require specially equipped playgrounds with appropriate equipment. 

IDEA — Total Allocation  $3,719,043

    • Professional Development for Staff — $470,000
The co-teaching model requires that special education teachers and other teachers in the core curriculum work cooperatively to meet the needs of students with disabilities who are served in regular classrooms.   This training is designed to help special education teachers  become better acquainted with the core subjects. 

    • Behavior Intervention Training — $200,000 Students with disabilities frequently engage in behavior which is not appropriate.   Staff who are not equipped to deal effectively with these situations lead to excessive suspensions from school. This training is applicable to all staff. 

    • Struggling Learner Training in Targeted Schools — $243,000
 The provision of intense assistance to staff in selected schools by JBHM
personnel has been shown to be very helpful in addressing the needs of students with disabilities who are expected to succeed in the regular curriculum.  

    • Career Training Materials — $20,000
 Depco vocational training modules for students with disabilities will assist in the transition of students to work after high school.

    • Assistive Technology — $100,000 
The acquisition of technology to support instruction and to enhance student engagement include a variety of interactive equipment to facilitate hands-on learning for students with disabilities. 

    • Personnel in Support of Students with Disabilities (2 years) — $350,000
 Additional staff needed to support the overall special education program include a coordinator to support the overall program as well as an occupational therapist assistant.

    • School-based Mental Health Services (2 years) — $500,000 State funds in support of school-based mental health services have been reduced. Allocating this amount for the 2009-2011 years will avoid reducing services while additional state funding is pursued.  

    • Special Education Transportation Equipment — $561,270
 The fleet of buses used exclusively to transport students with disabilities is aging. The budget amount will allow for the replacement of six (6) buses properly equipped for this purpose. 

    • ADA Compliance for Buildings — $1,274,773
 While all FSPS buildings are minimally accessible to individuals with disabilities, ADA compliance with regard to restrooms requires considerable modifications.  These modifications will include, but not be limited to Chaffin and Kimmons Junior Highs, Sutton, Ballman, Orr and Sunnymede Elementary Schools, and Southside High School. In addition, a passenger elevator will be installed at Chaffin Junior High School.

 Stabilization Funds — Total Allocation $11,996,094

    • Career and Technical Education — $400,000
 Consistent with the provisions of the Carl Perkins Act, support for career and technical education will be provided for all six secondary schools.   Equipment upgrades in support of existing programs have been identified by each campus. These include computers, software and smart technology projection equipment.
    • Adult Education — $100,000
 The support for adult education instruction will be in the form of equipment replacement/upgrades and instructional materials.  

    • Classroom Technology — $1,000,000 
Each classroom in every school will be afforded the opportunity to install upgraded basic technology which includes as a minimum a fully wired LCD projector.  If the classroom is currently equipped at this level, a menu of other options including individual student interactive slates, projection equipment to accommodate various inputs, etc. will be provided. 

    • Wireless Networking — $500,000 
Expanding wireless network capability to all areas of each FSPS campus is an important aspect of making schools more technologically complete.  

    • Targeted Technology Grants — $500,000 
Funding to support those teachers/schools which are leaders in incorporating technology to enhance instruction will help link the Technology Academy with effective applications which require additional equipment.

    • Calculator Accessibility — $100,000 
Many math applications require access to electronic calculators for each student.  The availability of these devices is important as their use is required on state-mandated tests.  Many students are not financially able to purchase a personal calculator. 

    • Elementary Music Lab Project — $500,000 
An important aspect of music instruction involves familiarity with keyboard instruments.  Electronic keyboard labs at each elementary school will help enhance the music skill and understanding of all elementary students. Implementation will be facilitated by elementary music teachers to augment their existing curriculum.
Facility Renovation, Modernization and New Construction: 

    • Barling Elementary School Addition — $2,739,105
 The addition and renovation to Barling Elementary School includes added classrooms, support areas, building access and an expanded kitchen.  The project is supported by $727,731 in additional Facilities Partnership funding.

    • Chaffin Junior High School — $2,018,020
 In addition to the ADA improvements noted elsewhere, the modifications to Chaffin Junior High School include replacement of the HVAC system, replacement of ceiling and lighting for greater energy efficiency and other improvements.  

    • Southside High School Windows/Doors — $743,500
Replacing existing windows and entry doors in the original Southside High School building with energy efficient glazing will improve energy efficiency. The project also includes appearance items on the front campus to upgrade the 1960's look. 

    • HVAC Upgrades — $1,661,072 
Replacing the HVAC systems at Sunnymede and Woods Elementary Schools and  a major portion of Northside High School will provide more efficient heating and cooling while upgrading controls. Some lighting and ceiling upgrades will also be included. 
    • Pike Basement Classroom Renovation — $297,330
 Renovation of this space will make it available for future use as classrooms as they are needed. Possible uses include expansion of Pre-K services funded by the Arkansas Better Chance Program.

    • Southside High School-Parking and Drainage (partial) — $1,437,067 
Improvements and expansion to the parking area at Southside High School will provide drainage, add additional parking, provide lighting for safety and security, and improve ingress and egress to the Southside High School campus.

     

    ARRA EXPENDITURES OVER $25,000

    SIG EXPENDITURES OVER $25,000