Thompson, California lawmakers pen letter for teachers

Eureka Times Standard

North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, joined members of California's Congressional delegation Thursday in penning a letter urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to do everything possible to prevent teacher layoffs.

The letter specifically urges Schwarzenegger and education officials to release emergency funding provided to school districts under President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan as soon as the state receives it. Without these funds, the lawmakers warned, thousands of teachers throughout the state could lose their jobs.

”Thousands of California teachers will be laid off in coming weeks without the infusion of (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds,” the letter states. “We implore you to provide for the immediate needs of the state's already cash-strapped schools by taking all available steps to prevent these layoffs.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by Obama last month, includes a state stabilization fund to give states emergency relief to stave off teacher layoffs, backfill harmful cuts to education programs and repair and modernize schools.

The plan allocates almost $6 billion in stabilization funding to California.

As the lawmaker's letter notes, there has recently been confusion over whether the state can decide how local districts and colleges use the funds. To clear up any misunderstanding, lawmakers confirmed Thursday that deciding how to use this emergency aid should be up to local school districts and colleges, not the state.

”We would like to clarify the intent of Congress that local education agencies may determine how they will use the stabilization funds and that resources are allocated from the state to school districts and institutions of higher education as soon as possible,” the letter states.