(Santa Fe, NM)- The New Mexico State Department of Education (SDE) announced today that 17 districts in the state would be awarded a total of $1.74 million in federal Title I School Improvement funds to carry out their school improvement or corrective action plans. Priority was given to districts with corrective action schools and schools in the second year of school improvement.

"This infusion of funds is both timely and important. Increased funding for corrective action schools and schools in need of improvement is essential if we are to see improved performance and opportunities for children. These dollars will support 54 schools across the state that are implementing strategies for change," said Sam Ornelas, director of the SDE's Title I Unit.

The recipient districts and dollars awarded are:

• ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $369,120
  For Alamosa Elementary, Armijo Elementary, Emerson Elementary, Ernie Pyle Middle, La Luz Elementary, Lavaland Elementary, Los Padillas Elementary, Lowell Elementary, Whittier Elementary, Polk Middle, Rio Grande High and Truman Middle
• BERNALILLO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $50,000
  For Santa Domingo Elementary
• CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS, $180,000
  For Mesa Elementary, Nataani Nez Elementary, Newcomb Middle, Nizhoni Elementary and Tse'Bit'Ai Middle
• CUBA INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, $50,000
  Cuba Middle and Cuba High
• DULCE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, $35,000
  Dulce Elementary
• ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $170,000
  Abiquiu Elementary, Alcalde Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Hernandez Elementary, Sombrillo Elementary and Espanola Middle-East
• FARMINGTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS, $35,000
  Apache Elementary
• GADSDEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, $80,000
  Chaparral Middle, Gadsden Middle and Santa Teresa Middle
• GALLUP-MCKINLEY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $382,880
  Church Rock Elementary, David Skeet Elementary, Gallup Junior High, Juan de Onate Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle, Stagecoach Elementary, Tobe Turpen Elementary, Tohatchi Elementary, Thoreau Middle, Tohatchi High, Twin Lakes Elementary and Washington Elementary
• GRANTS-CIBOLA COUNTY SCHOOLS, $34,000
  Laguna-Acoma Middle
• HOBBS MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS, $25,148
  Edison Elementary
• LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $50,000
  Booker T. Washington Elementary
• LOS LUNAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $35,000
  Desert View Intermediate
• ROSWELL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, $35,000
  Edgewood Elementary
• SANTA ROSA CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS, $35,000
  Rita A. Marquez Elementary
• WEST LAS VEGAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $60,000
  Valley Elementary and West Las Vegas Middle
• ZUNI PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $110,000
  A:Shiwi Elementary, Dowa Yalanne Elementary and Zuni Middle