Washington — Federal stimulus money for education may give some states a short-term reprieve from the fiscal crises they are facing. But three national groups that focus on higher-education management and affordability are urging state lawmakers to think about a longer-term strategy when spending those dollars.

Nearly three-quarters of the $54-billion that Congress approved in the huge stimulus package is mean to go to public colleges and school districts, which could use the money in various ways, including to restore budget cuts, prevent layoffs, or modernize facilities.

The money is a temporary fix, however, and should not be used to start new programs or major construction projects that will continue to cost colleges after the stimulus funds run out, says a joint statement from the Delta Project on Postsecondary Education Costs, Productivity, and Accountability; the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education; and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.

Instead, colleges should use the money to repair existing infrastructure and make it more energy efficient, the statement says. Money should also be spent on areas that bolster economic development while paring away unproductive programs that may not create as many jobs in a given state.

In addition, the groups recommend, state lawmakers should add some of their own strings to the money to ensure that any tuition hikes are reasonable. —Eric Kelderman