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Walworth County schools reap stimulus cash

Walworth County schools are receiving nearly $3.7 million in federal stimulus dollars, almost doubling the expected federal contributions for the two upcoming academic years.

The funds, stemming from President Obama’s stimulus plan, will be divided among the 15 school districts and used to fuel special education programs countywide.

“The dollars must be spent on equipment, materials; it could involve giving accommodations, staff development and training,” said Tracy Moate, administrator and director of special education for Lakeland School in Elkhorn.

Lakeland School is a placement option for special education in Walworth County. It also provides special education assistance to all school districts in the county.

Schools districts and Lakeland School share regular federal funding, estimated at $2.8 million for each of the upcoming two academic years.

While stimulus dollars go directly to school districts, Moate is hopeful that school districts share part of the money with Lakeland.

Administrators and business managers from several county districts will meet in focus groups this week to discuss ways to spend funds.

Each district has different ideas on how to best use the money, Moate said, but the hope is to ensure the entire county will benefit.

“Districts are ready to spend their dollars,” Moate said. “We want to organize in getting that to happen.”

After the focus group meeting this week, administrators also will meet May 14 to finalize details for spending the $3.7 million federal package.

Other funding

In addition to $3.7 million for special education programs, Walworth County also is getting stimulus money to invest in energy efficiency and public works.

Shane Crawford, director of public works, said the county qualifies for about $400,000 for energy efficiency projects officials are exploring.

“Some of our projects that may qualify would be a thermo-curtain window replacement,” Crawford said. “Also possibly changing lighting for energy efficiency.”

Officials are exploring all sorts of possibilities, from solar to wind power, he added.

“Obviously, you can’t get a lot of those projects done for that dollar amount, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction,” Crawford said.

The money has been allotted but not distributed, and officials are finalizing application details to receive the stimulus grant.

Looking at possible future grants, Crawford said county officials have made renewing County A a priority for next year.

“That’s a major project, and if we get any money, that would be the project to follow,” he said.

About $100,000 in stimulus funding is being used in the Martin Street highway project in the village of Sharon. The project, estimated at $1 million, has 80 percent of the costs covered by the state, 10 percent covered by Sharon and 10 percent covered by the county.

Walworth County officials will use its portion of the stimulus dollars to cover the nearly $100,000 the county is responsible for paying.