Since the ARRA IDEA funds are available for portions of three fiscal years, are districts required to use or expend a certain percentage of the funds each year?
NO. There is not a specific percentage requirement. The ARRA recommends that the majority of the funds be used in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and the remainder in 2010-11. District officials should be thoughtful in their use of these one-time ARRA IDEA funds. Therefore, districts should use these funds for short-term investments that may lead to sustainable long-term benefits rather than for expenditures the district may not be able to sustain once the ARRA funds are expended.
