CL – Funds plan irks schools Proposal to save stimulus money questioned

Funds plan irks schools
Proposal to save stimulus money questioned

A large portion of the money was to be used to help offset cuts to public schools, but educators learned last week that Gov. Haley Barbour and some House and Senate leaders want to put the dollars in Mississippi’s rainy day fund.

“I understand fiscal responsibility, I understand trying to be conservative fiscally, but I just need to know what the definition of a rainy day is,” said Ocean Springs schools Superintendent Robert Hirsch.

Hirsch, who oversees a district of 5,423 students, said he already has had to cut seventh- and eighth-grade gifted programs. There also is no strings program nor pre-K in his district because of a lack of funding.

Clarion Ledger
9/7/10