MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Education is requesting an additional waiver from the U.S. Department of Education regarding its requirement to carryover 25 percent of the Fiscal Year 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) School Improvement Grant (SIG) 1003 (g) funds.

Contingent upon approval by USDOE, such funds may be made available to Tier I schools that received the 2009 funds (Cohort 1 schools).

The award of funds is further contingent upon an application by a Tier I, Cohort 1 school approved by HIDOE.

To date, one school has successfully applied for funds. Because the school was not awarded the full amount of the carryover, HIDOE has asked USDOE for approval to use the balance of the carryover for another Tier 1, Cohort 1 school, the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind (HSDB).

An award of such funds depends on the capacity of HSDB to comply with SIG requirements. If awarded, these funds would be used to build on current SIG-funded initiatives.

Written comments regarding the described waiver should be submitted by Feb. 1, 2013, and be addressed to the Hawaii State Department of Education, Attention: Constance Hassell, 1390 Miller Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, emailed to Constance_Hassell@notes.k12.hi.us, or faxed to (808) 586-3645.