U.S. Rep. Gibbons questions why federal school funds going unspent

U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., has asked Gov. Kenny Guinn why $332,000 in federal education funds went unspent - and Guinn's office is wondering why Gibbons didn't simply call instead of issuing a press release.

Gibbons issued a press release Tuesday, describing his letter to Guinn and state schools chief Keith Rheault about the funds.

"Nevada's parents and teachers deserve to know why we are returning federal tax dollars to Washington when they could have been spent here in Nevada's classrooms," Gibbons stated.

Guinn spokesman Greg Bortolin said the funding amounted to "one-third of 1 percent of $71 million granted back in 1998." He added most of the money was spent and the unspent funds by law had to revert to the federal government.

"We were caught completely off guard by this, and frankly disappointed that he didn't work with our staff and the Department of Education to get the information he requested," Bortolin said.

"The first time anyone in our office saw this was when it came out as a press release."

Bortolin also said the money included about $80,000 of American Indian education grants the state couldn't touch.

Instead, that money was administered through specific tribes or school districts.

Gibbons spokeswoman Amy Spanbauer said the congressman is determined to find out if there are federal regulations that are hindering states from using these funds or if the problem is occurring at the state level.

"He's concerned that the state isn't utilizing the funds that were provided to them," she said. "He wants to get to the bottom of the issue."