Melrose Schools To Receive $400K From Federal Ed Jobs Fund

Melrose Public Schools are slated to receive nearly $400,000 of the $204 million in federal Education Jobs Fund money designated to the state, Gov. Deval Patrick announced Wednesday in New Bedford.

Massachusetts was allocated $204 million from the $26 billion federal Education Jobs Fund, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this month. The funds, meant to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees, were then distributed among the state's school districts using the state's education funding formula, according to the governor's office.

Patrick announced the specific allotments Wednesday at Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, a city expected to save 82 teaching positions through recent state and federal funding.

"Great schools are the key to our future," he said at the press conference, "and great teachers are the key to great schools. With this significant infusion of funds, we are building a better, stronger future for our kids, our communities and our Commonwealth."

The new funding should support approximately 2,700 teaching positions statewide.

The news comes a day after the state announced that Massachusetts secured $250 million in federal Race to the Top dollars. Overall, a combination of state and federal funds totaling $4.07 billion will ensure that all school districts in the state will receive more state aid, at least $25 more per student, than they did last year, according to the governor's office.

Melrose Superintendent Joe Casey could not be immediately reached for comment.