by Superintendent Denny Patzer

With all the recent focus on budget woes in the state of Michigan, I want to take this opportunity to explain how OPS is going to allocate and spend the Federal Stimulus dollars that will be coming to the district for the next two years. The Stimulus Funding can be very confusing because it comes to local districts in different pots or categories and each one includes specific rules and guidelines for spending. The main categories are Title I funds, which are tied to free and reduced lunch numbers, Title II funds which are designated for technology and staff development, IDEA funds which are tied to Special Education interventions and programming services, and Stabilization Funds which are tied to State aid.

In Otsego, we have been working with other county schools and the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency to coordinate some of the programming with IDEA funds. The ESA staff is involved because they will receive the money and disburse it to local districts. The main level of responsibility for reporting and accounting of funds will be done by ESA staff. This relieves local staff from the liability in reporting and provides us with checks and balances by an oversight organization.

Our areas selected are: technology purchases of equipment and software, equipment to outfit the new kindergarten classrooms, student intervention programs like our new after school programs that will be held in each of our five buildings beginning this fall and a staff professional development program titled Capturing Kids' Hearts. It is important to note that these funds are to be used in the next two years and must be designated toward programs that will have a lasting effect without the need for long term funding.

I hope you agree that we are using a multi-faceted approach to get the "best bang for the buck" with this stimulus money. We were required to submit an application in June 2009 and we have received initial approval from the state regarding our plan for spending the funds.