Patrick: Use stimulus money for education

BOSTON – Gov. Deval Patrick wants to use $168 million in federal stimulus money to ensure all Massachusetts communities meet the state’s minimum education standards.

The governor has already filed a budget proposing to give communities the same education funding next year as this year. But with expected cost increases, some communities may fall below the so-called “foundation level” established in the 1990s.

An administration official briefed on the plan but not authorized to speak before the public announcement says Patrick is scheduled to announce use of the stimulus money in Framingham Thursday. The funding would ensure 166 districts meet the foundation level.

The governor chose the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School because Framingham would receive $3.5 million under the plan.