School districts may reject state grants for longer days
Jessica Bakeman
ALBANY—At least four of the nine school districts that won $24 million in state grants to extend the amount of time children spend in the classroom say they may turn down the money because they don't have enough time to plan for longer school days.
The nine districts were told this month that they would receive the grants, and the state wants them to begin the longer school programs in September. But superintendents in Utica, Auburn, South Seneca and Lackawanna have asked for an additional six months to a year to plan for the extended-day programs. If they don't get the extra time to plan, they won't accept the money, they said.
“We're very grateful for the money,” said Bruce Karam, superintendent of Utica schools, which was awarded $4.1 million, plus a $10,000 planning grant. “But if we don't have the time we need, then it won't be a successful program, and we do not want to participate in a program that will be not be successful.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in his 2013 State of the State address a $20 million contest for the “extended learning time” grant funding. The money was offered to all of the state's 700 school districts for lengthening the amount of time students spend in the classroom by 25 percent. Districts could either extend the school day or the school year, or a combination of both.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/07/8549635/school-districts-may-reject-state-grants-longer-days