by nathan oster
The Buffalo Ranch will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the $149,286 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding that will soon flow into the coffers of Big Horn County School District No. 3.
Curriculum Coordinator Sara Schlattmann and Special Education Director Gary Meredith presented the district’s plans for the stimulus money Thursday afternoon. One-third of the total, or about $56,000, is earmarked for the improvements the Buffalo Ranch program.
An addition to the greenhouse that would separate the reclamation project from the vegetable/flower project, along with the necessary set-up supplies, would consume about $17,000 of the total.
There is $6,000 for hydro-gardens consultant for an automatic watering/timing system, plant selection, winter grow lights, heating system/alternative fuel, weed and pest control and troubleshooting.
Another $7,500 is earmarked for fencing, a compost plan and personnel to oversee the summer and/or work release students working on the summer garden.
The budget also earmarks $2,000 for materials to complete the chicken coop and the purchase of 20 to 30 chickens at market rate, as well as $20,000 for various equipment such as a tractor with attachments, a yard lawn mower, sprinkler/piping system, roto-tiller, weed-eater, DR trimmer and electric water pump.
The remaining $4,000 is earmarked for science supplies to reinforce/complement the outdoor learning environment and independent living equipment.
The $56,000 projection for the Buffalo Ranch lies within a $143,000 total budget that falls within the IDEA Part B-611.
With the remaining money, the district plans to spend $29,200 for general/administrative needs, including the purchase of 10 computers, four instructor laptops, two printers, two AV/IT connection centers and special education management software.
There is also $34,300 for assistive technology and $23,000 for professional development and training.
The assistive technology includes, among other things, 11 audio enhancement systems for the elementary school, as well as additional interactive white boards and three Wiis for use by the students who work with district’s occupational and physical therapists.
None of the stimulus dollars will be spent on staff salaries, Meredith said.
The professional development and training component addresses the district’s need for research-based professional development programs and systems.
Within IDEA Part B-619, there is $6,286 in funding for  the district to receive Child Find and related services through Children’s Resource Center.
The district will also receive stimulus funding for Title I programs, including a three-year contract for a web-based program that would improve math scores at the middle school, as well as $20,000 for a mobile tablet lab for GMS.
With GES implementing a Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention as part of the RTI model in reading, $27,000 is set aside to train three instructors  in Reading Mastery, which would benefit students who are struggling.
The district will submit its list of funding priorities to the state in mid January, and at that point, it will be a done deal, according to Meredith.
The presentation of the proposed spending capped a public input process that included several meetings.