California schools are in line for approximately $1.2 billion in federal education job funds, following the apportionment of $10 billion to states to save an estimated 160,000 education jobs across the country.
“ACSA is pleased that California will receive its share of federal funding to save the jobs of thousands of educators who have suffered due to budget cuts,” said ACSA Assistant Executive Director Julie White. “The importance of these dedicated individuals cannot be overstated, as they provide quality education to our state’s public school students.”
U.S. Department of Education officials said California’s severe job losses in education was a significant motivating factor in the swift passage of Public Law No. 111-226, Title 1 Education Jobs Fund. A key message from the U.S. DOE is that despite California’s lack of the timely passage of a state budget, the Education Jobs Fund will not be held up. In fact, states have been urged to not wait for the final deadline of Sept. 9 and to apply immediately.
Funding is for the 2010-11 school year and is expected to be distributed directly to local education agencies within two weeks. LEAs are not required to submit a local application if they submitted a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund application.
Basic assurances in the state application include, but are not limited to, complying with state maintenance of effort requirements; reserving no more than 2 percent for state administrative costs; ensuring LEAs receive awards on a timely basis; not using funds directly or indirectly to establish, restore or supplement a “rainy day” fund or supplant state funds to reduce or retire debt obligations incurred by the state.
Jobs funding will be distributed based on one of two allowable formulas: through the state’s primary elementary and secondary funding formula as identified in its application for funding under the SFSF program; or on the basis of LEAs’ relative share of funds under Part A of Title 1 of the ESEA for the most recent fiscal year data are available.
An LEA must use its funds only 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. General administrative expenses are not allowable uses of Ed Jobs Funds, including the superintendent’s office, the local board or other administrative employees.
Click here for a more thorough ACSA analysis on key provisions of the jobs law, or visit the U.S. Department of Education online at www.ed.gov.