Schools Get $200K to Create Two Jobs

Greenwich Public Schools will receive nearly $200,000 in federal aid to create two positions.

"We have a plan in place, as we go through and consider budgets, there are all sorts of items that don't make it into the budget that we have queued up and ready to go," John Curtin, assistant superintendant of schools, said last week. "Typically when we receive aid, we put a plan together and take it to the board for approval."

According to Kim Eves, director of communications for the Board of Education, the funds will be used this year to create two teaching posts.

"We're going to be funding instructional coaching positions in the district," Eves said. "They're teachers that work with other teachers on instructional strategies in the classroom."

The money is part of the $10 billion Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama earlier this month. The funds are meant solely to help save and create education jobs in a time when schools are tightening their purse strings.

According to the state Department of Education, Connecticut received $110 million, projected to save 1,000 to 1,300 jobs. Money is allocated based on the population and poverty level of each district.

Though Greenwich schools have allocated its funding for the instructional coaching positions, the aid is not limited to teacher hires. Districts may use the funds for any school employees, including aides and custodians, and part of the funding may be reserved for next year.

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