By Gene Meyer
March 4, 2010

(KansasReporter) TOPEKA, Kan. - Kansas' first round application for a slice of $4.35 billion in new federal education stimulus money has been rejected, but education officials say they plan to try again in a second round next June.

The Kansas State Department of Education said it learned Thursday that it is not among 16 finalists selected to receive grants under the Obama administration's Race to the Top plan for educational reform.

"Though this is not the news we expected, we will submit an application during Phase II of the competition," said Diane DeBacker, the state's interim education commissioner. "We are confident that we are strong competitors to receive this funding, and we will continue to pursue this award."

Kansas applied for a $166 million federal grant, which it planned to split among 281 school districts who are participating in the request and 31 statewide Board of Education reform projects.

Grant winners from among the 15 states and District of Columbia named Thursday as finalists will be chosen in April. Kansas and other states still seeking funds after that will submit applications in June for awards to be announced in September. If awarded, the funds will be available for four years, or through the 2013–2014 school year.