California is not among the 16 finalists selected to receive funds in the first phase of President Obama’s $4.35 billion Race to the Top campaign. The Los Angeles Times' website has the story here. In January, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed an education reform package to make our state eligible to compete in the federal stimulus program, which was launched to improve education. IUSD was one of many districts that submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to Sacramento signaling the intent to remain in the running for the federal dollars, should they materialize. California will now have another shot in the second phase of Race to the Top. The deadline for states to review and resubmit their applications is June 1.