First, Rieke Parents got an email on Tuesday entitled "Portable for Rieke," in which Principal Russell told us that despite the news from last month's PTA meeting, and despite concerns regarding the general fund, the stimulus package was yielding results (see my post below)
I'm very happy to let you know that Rieke will receive a new modular unit (portable) with two classrooms for the 2009-2010 school year. Earlier in the winter, we were told we were not getting a portable, but funding for PPS capital improvements was re-prioritized due in part to the addition of federal stimulus funds. ... For now, we can celebrate the addition of more classroom space.This was great news, and yet ... Congress hadn't actually agreed to the stimulus money. Indeed, hints abounded that maybe things weren't as certain as one might have hoped. First, despite the extra space, there were suggestions that the school would take no transfers (though that was perhaps partially alleviated by the Principal's suggestion at K roundup that there might be possibilities for transfer spaces).
And now, the suggestion from DC is that the "compromise" reached Friday night that will allow the stimulus package to pass the Senate included an agreement to "cut nearly $20 billion proposed for school construction." (See this New York Times piece.) While we've yet to see the final bill, this almost certainly means cutting the $14B for primary and secondary school reconstruction as well as cutting $6B for higher education capital improvements.
So that's not so good, even if it doesn't directly lead to effects at Rieke. To be sure, this will have to go to the Conference Committee in which the House bill (with the $14B) and the Senate bill (without) will have to be reconciled. So it could get in (or stay in). But given the mood, I'm not entirely hopeful.
In any event, it might be time to call or email Senators Wyden and Merkley and encourage them to keep those school construction funds in the mix. I'll post later whatever I send.
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