The school districts in Memphis and Shelby County could receive millions of dollars in education funding if President Barack Obama’s $800 billion-plus Stimulus Bill cuts the muster in Congress.
   
Memphis City Schools could receive an allocation of $100,148.300 in federal dollars under the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”

Shelby County could receive $11,409,800. The money, based on a funding formula, is earmarked for students with disabilities and for those who are disadvantaged.
   
Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District Cong. Steve Cohen announced the much-needed funding for the local school districts Friday afternoon at his office in the Federal Building.

Congressman Steve Cohen announced the much-needed funding for the local school districts Friday afternoon at his office in the Federal Building.

The proposed funds, Cohen said, are to be used to supplement current school budgets, “create jobs, help our students, and have a lasting and significant impact on Memphis education.”  
  
“This is a major investment in education,” he said. “Memphis gets a high share in education funding because that’s what we need. I think it will pass.”
   
The dispersement of federal education dollars depends on whether Congress signs off on the Stimulus Bill, said Cohen. A House vote is expected soon.
   
The congressman’s Washington press secretary, Marilyn Dillihay, said funding is contingent upon passage of the Stimulus Bill even though George Miller, chairman of the Education Committee, “is confident the bill will pass both House and Senate.”
   
Cohen, however, said he’s a little concerned the Stimulus package won’t be enough. “We want to see recovery as soon as possible,” he said.
   
Also in 2009, Tennessee will receive a total of $760,887,412 for infrastructure improvement: $613,113,563 for highways and bridges, $62,494,552 for transit capital, $954,067 for modernization, and $84,325,230 for clean water.     
   
Cohen said his main concern is to get the money to Memphis. “The money is intended to support programs because the economy needs help,” he said. “The sooner we act, the sooner we will see recovery.”    

Here’s a snapshot of how the federal dollars would be doled out:

Of the $100,148.300 million MCS could receive from the government this year, $27,296,000 is earmarked as a Title 1 increase. $55,781,300 goes toward construction and $17,071,000 for IDEA.
The $11,409,800 for county schools is based on $1,923,300 for Title 1, $4,443,700 for construction, and $5,042,700 for IDEA.
   
In 2010, federal dollars allocated to city schools would increase to $148,141,200 -- another $27,296,000 for Title 1 and $20,696,900 for IDEA. The total is $47,992,900, making it a two-year increase of $148,141,200.

Shelby County’s share would increase to $19,447,000 – another $1,923,300 for Title 1 and $6,113,800 for IDEA for a total of $8,037,200. A two-year increase would be $19,447,000.
“We want to see recovery as soon as possible,” the Cohen said.

Wiley Henry can be contacted via email at whenry@tri-statedefender.com