Given Money, Schools Wait on Rehiring Teachers

[ProSense]

Given Money, Schools Wait on Rehiring Teachers

By MOTOKO RICH
Published: August 17, 2010

As schools handed out pink slips to teachers this spring, states made a beeline to Washington to plead for money for their ravaged education budgets. But now that the federal government has come through with $10 billion, some of the nation’s biggest school districts are balking at using their share of the money to hire teachers right away.

<...>

In Arizona, where most schools opened this month, nonteaching employees are more likely to be recalled. “It would be hard to add teachers this year,” said Paul Senseman, a spokesman for Gov. Jan Brewer. “But the funds could be used on any school-level position like counselors, after-school programs, aides, nurses or coaches.”

Teachers’ unions are strongly urging districts to use the money right away to keep class sizes manageable and to reduce the jobless rolls. “The intent is to help districts avert layoffs now,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “Kids don’t have a pause button.”

<...>

“Frankly, from my perspective, it’s better to hire them now,” said James F. Notter, superintendent for Broward. Of the 1,300 pink slips to school workers in the spring, about 555 went to teachers. The district has recalled nearly 400 of them and now hopes to use the federal aid to rehire the remaining 155.

more

[femmocrat]

1. Hmmmm...... I was wondering about the "accountability" of these funds.

I seriously doubted that unless forced to do so, the districts would not use them to recall the teachers. Seems I was right, unfortunately.

[MadHound]

2. We've already had this discussion

Much of that money is now stilled tied up in the state decision making process. Depending on the state, that could take a few weeks or a few months. Furthermore, with classes starting now, contracts signed, classrooms assigned, it is very difficult to make class changes in mid stream.

Besides, weren't you the one who was saying the other day that with this money teacher hiring would begin quickly. Yet here you are, proving my point for me. Thanks.

[ProSense]

3. Are you still debating

whether or not anyone is hiring?

The district has recalled nearly 400 of them and now hopes to use the federal aid to rehire the remaining 155.

Jobs are jobs:

In Arizona, where most schools opened this month, nonteaching employees are more likely to be recalled. “It would be hard to add teachers this year,” said Paul Senseman, a spokesman for Gov. Jan Brewer. “But the funds could be used on any school-level position like counselors, after-school programs, aides, nurses or coaches.”

[MadHound]

4. From your own post

“It would be hard to add teachers this year,” said Paul Senseman, a spokesman for Gov. Jan Brewer."

[ProSense]

5. “But the funds could be used on any school-level position like counselors, after-school programs

aides, nurses or coaches.”

A job is a job. It will create jobs at the state level, and in some states that means recalling teachers.

“Frankly, from my perspective, it’s better to hire them now,” said James F. Notter, superintendent for Broward. Of the 1,300 pink slips to school workers in the spring, about 555 went to teachers. The district has recalled nearly 400 of them and now hopes to use the federal aid to rehire the remaining 155.

Is that so hard to understand? Or are you vested in proving that stimulus dollars aren't needed?

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

7. Who are you? n/t