Columbus City Schools would get about $110 million, according to federal estimates, as part of the $825 billion legislation that President Barack Obama and House Democrats say will help revitalize the flagging economy.

Word of the potential federal influx comes on the eve of Gov. Ted Strickland unveiling his long-awaited school-funding plan, and during a time in which many districts are deciding whether to put levies on the ballot this year.

House Democrats are touting the money -- additional funds for construction, special education and disadvantaged-student programs -- as a way to create jobs by renovating schools and to hold off budget cuts that could harm children.

"The economic crisis that currently grips our country seriously threatens school funding and the ability of our school districts to educate our children," said Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles.

Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat from St. Clairsville, stressed that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has two purposes: to create jobs and to lay the foundation for future growth.

"The investment this plan is making in education accomplishes both of those goals," he said.

Leading the GOP charge against the bill, House Minority Leader John Boehner of West Chester argues that the bill has too much and the wrong type of spending and too little in tax cuts.

"Congressional Democrats have taken the president's vision of a bill focused on immediate job creation and fast-acting tax relief and added hundreds of billions in spending that have little or no connection to immediate job creation," said Jessica R. Towhey, Boehner's spokeswoman.

But Obama, after meeting with Boehner and other Republicans yesterday at the Capitol, said the plan is a multifaceted "recovery package" that includes money to ensure an "education system that works."

While the federal government provides less than 10 percent of education spending, the additional aid would come as shrinking revenues are forcing states to slash spending.

Strickland has cut primary and secondary spending by $157.5 million since January 2008 to plug a shortfall in Ohio's budget. On average, schools get about half of their funding from the state.

Cleveland schools are poised to get more than any of Ohio's 613 school districts -- $173.8 million.

Ohio educators say the federal aid should help blunt the impact of the state's budget crisis.

"In these uncertain economic times, this money would help increase stability and services to our students," said Marilyn Troyer, senior associate superintendent of Ohio schools.

The additional aid would be of great use to Columbus schools, district spokesman Jeff Warner said.

For example, while Columbus schools just won passage of a $123 million school-construction bond levy, the infusion of nearly $46 million in 2009 for construction would not go to waste, Warner said. The district would have to determine how to direct that money, but there are greater needs in a long-term construction master plan that could be met sooner with additional federal funding, he said.

Warner added that while additional disadvantaged-pupil and special-education money is welcome, that money is outside the regular $688 million general fund for the district and won't prevent financial austerity measures already under way.

For districts facing dire financial situations, such as South-Western City Schools, the additional federal aid would help but not necessarily eliminate the need to ask local voters for a tax increase.

"We're hopeful that it comes to pass," said Sandy Nekoloff, spokeswoman for South-Western.

Under the House bill, South-Western would receive $16.3 million during the next two years. But at this point, Nekoloff said, the district is still moving forward with plans to place an operating levy on the May ballot.

David Varda, executive director of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials, said the federal aid should help the state deal with a shortfall projected at more than $7 billion in the two-year budget beginning July 1. But Varda said it would help if districts are given flexibility over how to spend the money.

"The question is: Are there a lot of strings attached to that money?" Varda said.

For instance, many districts have a greater need for operating money than construction funds, he said.

Under the House proposal, construction money would be available in 2009, while aid for disadvantaged-student and special-education services would be provided over this year and next.

jriskind@dispatch.com

ccandisky@dispatch.com