Posts Tagged ‘schools’

The city of Sierra Vista can support Fort Huachuca in a number of ways, with improving the reputation of the state’s public education system being the most urgent, Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Faulkner told city council members last week. While the installation’s missions leave it well positioned as DOD looks to trim spending over the next 10 years, the perception of Arizona schools has hurt the post’s efforts to recruit employees in some highly technical fields …

The Pentagon’s $11.2 billion budget request for military construction and family housing in fiscal 2013 supports a variety of projects, including upgrading DOD-owned schools and medical facilities, and investing in energy conservation, Dorothy Robyn, deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, told lawmakers Wednesday. The request continues the recapitalization of DOD-owned schools, with $547 million to replace or renovate 11 schools in poor or failing condition …

The DOD Education Activity is offering a total of $25 million in grants to school systems that teach military-dependent students for programs that strengthen family engagement and improve student achievement. Awards for FY 2012 grants to Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs will be made to local educational agencies on behalf of their eligible schools …

Two measures moving in the Alabama legislature could raise the prospect that the Huntsville region’s Redstone Arsenal attracts new missions in a future round of base closures. Senate Bill 245 would make it easier for school systems to qualify for special renovation or construction bonds available to schools affected by mission growth resulting from BRAC 2005 …

With the addition of Pennsylvania earlier this month, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children encompasses 40 states and almost 90 percent of school-age military children. “This partnership between the DOD and states is absolutely instrumental to the success of our kids and their education …

At a meeting with educators in California last week, Jill Biden showcased the achievements of a local program attempting to establish a military-friendly environment by spreading the word about effective military family programs and resources, and by raising military family awareness throughout the Southern California school system …

After 10 years of war and multiple deployments, the challenges for the spouses and children of service members are numerous — coping with mental health issues, finding a job in a struggling economy, and meeting mortgage payments and other expenses. Unsung Heroes, a new report from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, paints a stark portrait of the economic, education and health issues military spouses and their children face …

Eliminating DOD’s on-base schools would save $1 billion per year, according to Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, but the Senate failed to take up his proposal last week during debate over the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill. Coburn’s plan would shut down the department’s system of elementary and secondary schools …

During a visit last week to Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon touted a bill moving in the U.S. Senate that would allow five public school districts serving the base to pool their students so they can qualify for a higher rate of federal impact aid over the next five years …

Columbus State University was named to G.I. Jobs magazine’s 2012 list of “Military Friendly Schools” for the second straight year, a testament to the university’s commitment to supporting nearby Fort Benning. “We are trying not only to help ourselves, but to help the state …