$4.9 M in Federal Funds Released for Maui County Schools

Congresswoman Hirono assists young children at the Tutu and Me traveling preschool program. File photo courtesy, Office of Rep. Mazie Hirono.

By Maui Now Staff

A preliminary allocation of $4,925,038 in federal funds have been announced for local educational agencies in Maui County.

The funds are part of a larger $47 million appropriation from the US Department of Education.  Preliminary appropriations for other locations in the state include: $10.6 million for Hawaiʻi County; $29.38 million for Honolulu County; and $2 million for Kauaʻi County.

The Title I Grants for local educational agencies are intended to provide financial assistance to school districts for services that improve the teaching and learning of children at risk of not meeting academic achievement requirements.

Based on a variety of factors such as per-pupil expenditures, poverty, and population estimates, congressional leaders say Title I Grants are targeted to help students who reside in high concentration areas of children from low-income families.

Members of the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation today announced the Title I, Part A Grants for the 2015-2016 school year and released the following comments:

“Our keiki deserve a high-quality education, and the opportunity to gain the tools and skills that will best equip them for success and a bright future.  Strong schools and good teachers can help break the cycle of poverty that trap many families, but only if they are given the resources and support needed to empower students. We owe it to our next generation of leaders to give them every opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they come from or their socioeconomic status.”  – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard

“Investing in our children’s education is one of the best ways to help them reach their full potential. But too often, schools in underserved communities lack the necessary resources to make that happen.  This funding will give schools across Hawai‘i the resources they need to help our children succeed.” – US Senator Brian Schatz, member of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee

“When I came with my mother from Japan to Hawaii as a small child, I enrolled in Hawaii’s public schools without knowing any English. If it were not for my teachers and my mother’s high expectations, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I know firsthand that quality education opens the door to opportunity and it is critical that our schools have essential resources to ensure success. Investing in our keiki is the best investment we can make and these funds will help our public schools and students most at need.” – Senator Mazie K. Hirono

“I am very happy that Hawaiʻi’s public school system will receive this grant.  These funds will be directed toward students and schools that need extra resources — primarily schools that are located in low-income and underserved communities. Hawaii’s public schools educate the majority of our keiki, and federal grants such as this help provide our schools with the resources they need to succeed. I will continue to work closely with the congressional delegation to maximize the federal support coming in to our state.”  – Congressman Mark Takai

Final allocations are expected to be released in June 2015, and will differ slightly from the from the preliminary allocations.