Various Educational groups and school administrators, citing state budget shortfalls that are strangling local school districts, are continuing an end-of-the-year lobbying push to ensure education funding is part of the 2009 stimulus package announced by President Obama in a recent radio address.

Obama stated that his administration would seek to direct a portion of a federal spending bill aimed at getting the economy back on track to school construction and to expanding broadband access in schools. The overall legislation could cost as much as $850 billion, according to published reports.  But, as more states warn of substantial cuts to K-12 spending, some school and state officials are lobbying lawmakers and the Obama transition team to include money for programs such as special education, teacher training, and grants to help districts educate disadvantaged students.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, at least 20 states are cutting K-12 and early education due to budget problems. Florida, Georgia, Maine and South Carolina have each cut aid by at least $95 per student.

Obama has said repeatedly that funding for school infrastructure would be included in a stimulus package, though it is unclear how much and whether any of it would come in the form of direct aid to schools.

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