FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James Minichello
703-774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

Alexandria, Va. – May 13, 2022 – On January 21, AASA led a joint letter from education, health, environmental, labor, and industry organizations asking Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for clarity on how the U.S. Department of Education can extend the timeline school districts have to expend funding for school construction and capital projects under the American Rescue Plan. Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, issued the following statement in response to the Department’s Response to AASA.   

“After numerous discussions with Secretary Cardona and his staff, we are thrilled that, today, they were able to expeditiously provide clarity to AASA members about the timeline they have to complete desperately needed school facilities projects and HVAC upgrades.     

“The responsiveness of this Department to district leaders is unparalleled. We are grateful for the flexibility and clarity that Secretary Cardona is providing around school construction timelines and in particular, HVAC upgrades. Given inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages, we know that districts want to invest these funds wisely and the knowledge that they have 18 additional months to liquidate funding will hopefully provide them with the assurance needed to move forward with using ARP funds for these contracts and obligations.

“While we would have preferred a blanket waiver for states, we will encourage our 49 affiliates and members across the country to work closely with their State Department of Education counterparts to apply for the ARP late liquidation extension waivers when they are available.

“Of importance in this letter is that the Department makes clear it cannot extend the obligation deadline for districts for ARP funds and only Congress has the authority to do this. AASA will continue to pursue a legislative option to extend the obligation period for ARP funding with Congress.

“AASA encourages our members to share this letter with contractors and private sector partners to ensure they understand this timeline flexibility.” 

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For specific questions, please contact Sasha Pudelski, AASA advocacy director, at spudelski@aasa.org.

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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.