CV board backs grant application

The Central Valley school board agreed to throw its support behind Race to the Top at its meeting Monday night.

Race to the Top is a federal race for $3.4 billion in grants which will be used to meet common educational standards, create a data system to streamline access and use by teaching staff to support instruction, to develop a new evaluation system of teachers and leaders in the school with new tools and turn around struggling schools.

Superintendent Ben Small cautioned the board that the funds should not be seen as a financial rescue to the district.

“We could use the money, we could always use the money,” he said. But Small stressed the funds must be used by following the guidelines set by the federal government.

He said the district would receive funds based on enrollment – an estimated $22 per fulltime enrolled student. That would add up to about $1.05 million over four years.

“That money will be committed to doing the things we say we will be doing,” Small said. He told the board that if the money wasn’t used properly, the state could come in and ask for it back.

He added that the funds may not come in four-year increments; they could get it all at once.

Small also said the teachers and the principals unions had agreed to support Race to the Top.

The board unanimously approved signing the agreement. The district must have its agreement delivered to the state by May 17.