The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has approved New Jersey’s application for a $268 million grant to restore jobs in public schools.
New Jersey’s share is part of a $10 billion federal stimulus program, the Education Jobs Fund, designed to help school districts restore teaching positions lost due to reductions in school funding. The funding can be used not just for teachers, but for positions such as librarians, coaches, custodians and many other school staff.
New Jersey submitted its application shortly before the deadline, which was Sept. 9. The state will use its own formula to determine the amount of funding that districts receive.
The funding is separate from the competitive $400 million in federal Race to the Top grants that New Jersey did not receive this summer.
Gov. Chris Christie noted that the grant is helpful, but it is a one-time infusion of funding that may not be available next year.
However, the Obama administration has announced its intention to create another round of Race to the Top grants, totaling $1.3 billion nationwide, next year. |
