Questions arise about spending federal funds for Calif. teachers
Written by Gabrielle Batchelor on August 9, 2010.
California educators are elated that the federal government plans to send California about $1.2 billion for teacher jobs. Those educators also have a lot of questions.
The federal government’s made clear that it wants California to use its share to hire, rehire, or retain 16,500 teachers.
Lara Cruchley’s mother called her with the news. Cruchley’s a high school English teacher the Anaheim school district laid off this year. “I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed, I’m very excited, and again, waiting by the phone, waiting for them to call me,” she said.
It’ll be at least a month before state lawmakers tell the government how and when they plan to distribute the money, said California Department of Education spokeswoman Maria Lopez, so Cruchley and public school districts will have to hold tight.
“We don’t have a lot of information about how the money will be distributed. We’re working on getting clarification on that. And as soon as