Mr. Chairman: I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today on PL 81-874 LowRent Public Housing. For some time, the Montgomery Public School System has anticipated Federal assistance for children who are enrolled in the public schools and live in public housing. This assistance became a reality for the school year 1975-76. It seemed that much confusion existed as to the Public Housing portion of the law and how it would be administered. According to the interpretation of the existing Public Housing regulations, the State Department of Education must approve the method of expenditure for PL 874 Public Housing funds. This is true in most cases; and in our situation, it requires an approved application. Enclosed is a copy of the application which the Montgomery Public School System must complete and send to the State Education Agency for approval. The State Education Agency must notify the Office of Education that the method of expending the PL 874 Public Housing funds for this local school system has been approved by the State Department of Education. The regulation in the Federal Register dated December 5, 1975 states: G. Low-rent public housing. Proposed section 115.29 sets forth requirements to ensure that payments under Pub. L. 81-874 based on the number of children residing on, or residing with a parent employed on, lowrent public housing, as determined under section 5(e) of such Act, are used for special programs and projects designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children from low income families, as required under such section. It is the recommendation of the Montgomery Public School System that PL 874 Low-Rent Public Housing funds be approved in the same manner as other PL 874 funds. If this is not possible, it is the suggestion that Public Housing funds be administered from the Office of Education in the same manner as special education. The handicapped section of PL 874 is working; and it would be most helpful if the Public Housing portion could function according to the same regulations. The Montgomery Public School System is most appreciative of low-rent public housing funds. Since we have in excess of 3,000 low-rent public housing students, these funds are sorely needed by the Montgomery Public Schools. It is the urgent desire of this system for these students to be funded at a higher level, perhaps as B Civilians, which is 57% in Tier I and II. It is the further recommendation of this school system and our Alabama State Department of Education that the State Department be eliminated from the approval and supervision of the local public school low-rent housing program. Mr. Chairman, I thank you and the members of this committee for your interest in and understanding of the educational needs of this nation. I appreciate the opportunity of presenting these views to you. Thomas A. Bobo Assistant Superintendent P.L. 81-874 SECTION I - STATISTICAL INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT TO THE P.L. 81-874 SCHOOL ASSISTANCE IN FEDERALLY AFFECTED AREAS Legal name and location of school district (City and State) FY of Application I. PROGRAM PRIORITIES Application No. Assigned by OE II. Payments received under this application and attributable to children from lowrent housing will be expended, as indicated, in the following order of priority: A.1. 2. B.1. 2. To continue and to augment programs assisted under Title I of the To provide Title I type programs in areas which are eligible for Programs specified in the preceding subparagraph are fully provided, therefore funds will be used To supplement existing Title I programs; or To provide Title I type programs in other area of such agency for ASSURANCES AND CERTIFICATIONS A. Local District Assurance and Certification I certify that the program requested is a Title I or Title I type program and that funds provided therefore will be used and accounted for in accordance with regulations prescribed for P.L. 81-874. Recommend Approval: P.L. 81-874 Auth. Rep. for District Signature of Auth. Rep. for District Date Signed B. State Approval and Certification 1. Approval is granted and the approved program proposal is retained in Name and Title ESEA Title I Official 2. Signature ESEA Title I Official Date Signed Name and Title SAFA Auth. Rep. (SEA). Signature of SAFA Auth. Rep. (SEA) |