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| Pictured L-R: Ben Bleck, 5th grader Brandon Cicon, 12th grader Congressman Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp Zachary Benedict, 12th grader Anna Bonner, 6th grader |
As Blue Ridge students settled in for their first day of classes Tuesday, the district also hosted Rep. Tom Marino, R- 10, Lycoming Twp., to discuss federal education funding.
The congressman met with school administrators, board members, Title 1 teachers and district students in a classroom in the elementary school.
Board President Laurie Brown- Bonner t old t he freshman congressman that she was concerned about the district’s accountability for so many unfunded mandates passed down to schools from the federal and state government.
Ms. Bonner said the district is losing Title 1 dollars, which go to a school with a high percentage of lowincome students.
“We need the tools to meet t hose mandates,” board member Shane Rumage said. He said Blue Ridge does well with the funds it does receive.
“Our priorities are different than other districts,” he said.
One of those areas is the spending of Title 1 funds.
Although receiving funds to support two positions, the district has kept four Title 1 teachers in place.
With benchmark assessments used to i dentify where students are having difficulty, Blue Ridge uses the Title 1 funds to keep students out of the special education program.
Superintendent Robert McTiernan said, “There are positive results ( at Blue Ridge) from what Title 1 supports.”
“We’re committed to funding this. It works, you can see it in our kids,” said Ms. Bonner.
Mr. Marino asked the educators how they dealt with students who were disruptive in the classroom.
“You folks need to make that determination, and not have it made at the federal or state level,” Mr. Marino said.
Special education coordinator Bobbi McCain said the district has been creatively using staff so that every student’s needs are met but other students are still flourishing.
Mr. McTiernan highlighted the disparity in the Title 1 disbursements. He said money that goes into Title 1 ends up going t o struggling schools and programs. The funds don’t come here, he said, and may be funneled into districts that are badly managed.
The superintendent suggested the government look into how districts are evaluated and funded.
The congressman, who also holds a degree in secondary education, said he was a strong supporter of education but if, at the federal level, the Department of Education can’t run any better, then it should be dismantled. Contact the writer: swilson@independent weekender.com
Article rank 5 Sep 2012 The Times-TribuneBY STACI WILSON STAFF WRITER
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