State Allocates $2.2M in Federal Funds for Local Schools

TRENTON — Cape May County schools are eligible for over $2.2 million in federal Ed Jobs funding. Statewide, over $260 million was approved.
According to the state Department of Education, Ed Jobs is a new federal program that provides $10 billion in assistance to states to save or create education jobs for the 2010-2011 school year, but can be extended through 2012.
Local school districts are eligible for the following amounts:
Avalon, $3,252; Cape May, $16,585; County Vocational, $57,381; Cape May Point, $974; Dennis Township, $229,769; Lower Cape May Regional, $336,678; Lower Township, $349,431; Middle Township, $469,266; North Wildwood, $33,233; Ocean City, $72,200; Sea Isle City, $11,561; Stone Harbor, $2,208; Upper Township, $362,891; West Cape May, $6,148 ; West Wildwood, $2,419; Wildwood, $188,603; Wildwood Crest, $25,229; and Woodbine, $101,313.
Districts can use these funds for compensation, benefits and other expenses, such as support services, necessary to retain existing employees, to recall or rehire former employees, and to hire new employees, in order to provide early childhood, elementary, or secondary educational and related services, according to the Department of Education.
“We must work together to make sure this money is used to improve the quality of education and that it helps put our districts on a path to financial sustainability,” wrote state Education Commissioner Rochelle R. Hendricks, in a letter to district superintendents.
Hendricks called this program “one-time funding” that should not be expected in the future. She urged districts to plan accordingly.
“With your staff and budget set for the 2010-2011 school year, I urge you to be mindful of how and when these funds are spent,” Hendricks wrote. “While record levels of total federal, state and local funding have been made available to schools in recent years, the next budget cycle promises to be challenging. Therefore, please consider reserving this one-time funding for the 2011-2012 school year if possible.”
She also encouraged districts to avoid spending decisions that would significantly grow future-year obligations that could prove to be unsustainable.
“In other words, these one-time funds should not only preserve critical jobs, they should provide your district with the breathing room needed to plan for educationally sound, balanced budgets in the austere days to come,” she warned.
The program allows for funds to be used for non-classroom costs such as cafeteria workers, bus drivers and coaches, “but it is my hope that this unexpected revenue will be directed to those areas most likely to help our students excel academically, namely classroom activities,” Hendricks added. “I am confident that meeting the needs of your students is your number one priority.”