State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Praises President, U.S. House for Quick Action on Teacher Jobs Measure; $1.2 billion estimated for California Educators
By Terry Miller
Published: Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today praised President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and U.S. House of Representative members who today approved a federal teacher jobs measure of which $1.2 billion is estimated for California. The legislation, signed by the President after its passage in the House, is aimed at preventing the loss of an estimated 161,000 teacher jobs across the nation as children begin returning to their classrooms.
“In California, 16,500 teaching positions could be saved or created by approval of this urgently needed package according to the U.S. Department of Education,” O’Connell said. “Without House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s strong leadership and swift action or the persistence of President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), this education relief package would not have been possible. It provides an urgently needed Marshall Plan air lift for our schools.”
While expressing relief and satisfaction over the education measure, O’Connell expressed concern about cuts made to the federal nutrition programs in order to provide funding for the teacher jobs bill. “We are thrilled that teachers will be able to be where they belong—in the classroom. Yet, I urge Congress to find a way to protect our students’ education without shortchanging food nutrition programs or family food stamp assistance. Students who have adequate nutrition are more likely to succeed in school. To ensure student success, we must keep our commitment to the classroom and the family dinner table.”
The House bill, H.R. 1586, approved last week in the U.S. Senate, authorizes $10 billion in education funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Once enacted, the funds will be available in the 2010-11 school year to retain, recall, or rehire former employees and to hire new employees to provide early childhood, elementary, or secondary educational services.
Funds may not be used for general administrative expenses. Under the legislation, states may not use the funds directly or indirectly to:
• Establish, restore, or supplement a rainy day fund;
• Supplant state funds to establish, restore, or supplement a rainy day fund;
• Reduce or retire state debt; or
• Supplant state funds to reduce or retire state debt.
The U.S. Department of Education has 45 days after enactment to award the funds, and governors have 30 days from enactment to submit their state’s application.
“We will work closely with the Governor and his Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss to submit a timely, well-written application so California’s funding is approved and reaches school districts as quickly as possible. With these funds we hope to reduce the need for steep increases in class size this school year and keep more teachers; it is what parents want and children need,” O’Connell said.
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