Texas schools better off waiting for federal aid
Very soon states will be receiving big checks from the federal government's Education Jobs Fund Program that aims to help public schools keep educators on the payroll during tough economic times. No money is coming to Texas at least not this year. Unfortunate, but if it's a matter of timing and the money is available next year, it might be worth the wait.
Under legislation approved by Congress, states with large populations get larger shares: California receives $1.2 billion, New York gets $607.5 million; and Florida gets $554.8 million. The money, totaling $10 billion, is arriving in states this fall, in time to prevent massive layoffs and help with teacher salaries as school districts struggle with increasing costs and shrinking revenue.
School districts in Texas and across the nation need the money. And even smaller states and U.S. territories — Guam and the Virgin Islands — are getting federal money to keep educators employed.
Texas likely won't be getting its $830 million share this year. Central Texas districts losing out include Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop,