Gibbons signs education grant application

(AP) - Gov. Jim Gibbons has signed Nevada's application for federal "Race to the Top" education grants and transmitted it to the U.S. Department of Education.

During a signing ceremony Thursday in Carson City, Gibbons called Nevada's application "competitive," made possible by cooperation between school districts, education leaders, government and business leaders.

The deadline for the second phase applications is June 1.

Nevada is competing for up to $160 million in federal grants being made available under President Obama's education initiative designed to improve student achievement.

Gibbons in March formed a 29-member task force to coordinate the state's application effort. A grant coordinator was hired on contract last month to complete the application.