TOP STORY >> Districts to receive federal aid

Arkansas schools will be receiving up to $569.9 million over the next six months as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and about $18 million of that will filter down to local school districts.

Pulaski County Special School District is slated to get about $12.4 million. Cabot will see $2.19 million. Searcy is to get about $2 million. Beebe will get $1.3 million, and Lonoke is to receive $1.03 million.

The districts will get about 65 percent of the funding this spring and summer and the remaining part will be doled out in the fall.

Arkansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Ken James, met recently with more than 1,000 school district, charter school and education cooperative personnel to share the Arkansas Department of Education’s guidance for wisely investing those funds.