The federally funded Race to the Top program could funnel up to $700 million into reforming California's schools - including a potential chunk of cash for the Santa Clarita Valley's districts.

But the money isn't free.

The federal government will only award the funds to states that can show they're turning around their education systems, and have plans for continued improvement.

California lawmakers are still debating how to meet the federal government's demands, leaving local school districts to make a difficult decision this week: Will they sign up for a piece of the money without knowing what they're committing to?

The William S. Hart Union High School District has said no.

Other districts, however, are cautiously entertaining the idea and will hold board meetings on the matter this week.

"It's just one of those areas where we're submitting with the hope that it might result in additional funds," said Saugus Union School District Superintendent Judy Fish. "But we still want to know more about the implications for receiving those funds."

Castaic Union School District has planned a special board meeting tonight while Sulphur Springs and Newhall school district board will meet Wednesday to discuss Race to the Top.

"We want to be part of a revision of the standards and assessments that are used in California," said Newhall School District Superintendent Marc Winger.

Race to the Top defined
Race to the Top is a federal competitive grant program that encourages and rewards school districts for taking innovative steps in education.

The four main criteria include: creating new standards and assessments to prepare students for college and the workplace; using data to measure student success and better evaluate principals and teachers; improving the lowest-performing schools; and creating programs to recruit and reward effective teachers and principals.

The state has to submit its application to the U.S. Department of Education for Race to the Top money by Jan. 19.

California could receive between $350 and $700 million with half of the money going to the state.

The remaining money would most likely go to California's school districts.

However, the amount of money depends on how many school districts sign up for the program.

Nearly 800 education organizations across the state issued letters of intent in December.

Left with questions
Without legislation showing how to meet new standards in education, local superintendents are concerned about all of the unanswered questions about the state's participation in the program.

"It is additional federal money. With that comes more rules and regulations and it remains to be seen whether we feel those will be of benefit to our district or not," Fish said. "I think it's too soon to say."

The William S. Hart Union High School District will not take part in Race to the Top funds, Superintendent Jaime Castellanos said.
"There were just too many unknowns for us," Castellanos said.

Castaic Union leaders also have concerns.

"We just don't see a lot of gain or value to the district," said Superintendent James Gibson.

What the money will do
Newhall School District doesn't expect any money to help the cash-strapped district with its immediate budget woes. Rather, it will benefit staff development in the long run.

"It won't have any impact on saving positions and programs due to the state budget crisis," Winger said. "It's about qualifying and changing the system that needs to be changed in terms of accountability."

Joan Oxman, president of the SCV Teachers Association, hopes Race to the Top funding will give school districts a boost as discussions of teacher layoffs and increased class sizes continue.

"Right now," she said, "any funding that we can get is going to be a help."