Reading Schools To Receive $500K From Federal Ed Jobs Fund

Reading's Public Schools are slated to receive more than $500,000 of the $204 million in federal Education Jobs Fund money designated to the state, Gov. Deval Patrick announced Wednesday in New Bedford.

Reading Superintendent John Doherty said that he has no immediate plans for the funds, but may use the money during the 2012 school year.

"We're currently waiting to see what the economic climate will be," Doherty said.

Massachusetts was allocated $204 million from the $26 billion federal Education Jobs Fund, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this month. The funds, meant to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees, were then distributed among the state's school districts using the state's education funding formula, according to the governor's office.

Doherty said the district has 24 months in which to use the funds, but aims to leave them untouched for the current financial year.

"That's my hope, that we do not have to that money this year," he said. "Our budget right now for next year is in pretty good shape."

Patrick announced the specific allotments Wednesday at Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, a city expected to save 82 teaching positions through recent state and federal funding.

"Great schools are the key to our future," he said at the press conference, "and great teachers are the key to great schools. With this significant infusion of funds, we are building a better, stronger future for our kids, our communities and our Commonwealth."

The new funding should support approximately 2,700 teaching positions statewide.

The news comes a day after the state announced that Massachusetts secured $250 million in federal Race to the Top dollars. Overall, a combination of state and federal funds totaling $4.07 billion will ensure that all school districts in the state will receive more state aid, at least $25 more per student, than they did last year, according to the governor's office.