By Stu Johnson
Frankfort, KY – The Commonwealth should receive an additional 135-million dollars in federal money for education. The state's share comes from ten billion dollars set aside by Congress in the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. Kentucky Association of School Administrators Director Wayne Young says it will allow some school districts to re-hire teachers.
"I don't think there is any question that some districts will add staff because they've had to make such intensive cuts, they've lost people they didn't want to lose couldn't afford to lose, are depriving kids of services. So, I think you'll see a number of districts hire people back," said Young.
Kentucky's governor says this is one time money which will be distributed through the state's seek funding formula to districts. Governor Steve Beshear says it will go to support teacher hiring, retention and other educational support.
Kentucky Education Association President Sharron Oxendine hopes the additional money will allow some school districts to restore a school day to the calendar.
"We're hoping that they would restore what's been since 2006 the 187 day contract with 177 instructional days," added Oxendine.
Kentucky School Boards Association director, Bill Scott says a number of teachers have lost their jobs over the last couple of years.
"The claims paid out for un-employed public education folks were 30 percent higher last year than the year before so we know for a fact that public schools have been affected by this recessionary period," said Scott.
Scott says K-S-B-A administers the unemployment claims process for some 171 school districts.