Report: 8,100 Pennsylvania education jobs saved by 2009's public school investment
In 2009, the government approved a one-time, $100 billion investment in public schools nationwide, an investment that reportedly saved nearly 8,100 education jobs in Pennsylvania, according to a recent Post Gazette article.
As a result of the funds, schools were able to retain established teachers and further their educating capabilities. Schools did tighten their belts in the process, but were able to weather the post-recession storm.
Without such funds, one Pennsylvania district operations specialist claimed layoffs would have occurred and "would have been very disruptive to education and would have taken the district off course," the Post Gazette relays.
While schools are not expecting to receive another such grant from the government, many have been awarded other grants from various bodies or companies recently.
Lowe's, MetLife, Wells Fargo and the U.S. Department of Education have all handed out education grants during the past several months. Schools have taken these additional funds and invested in newer technologies, such as smartboards, computers or classroom projectors.
As a result of 2009's investment, the U.S. Department of Education estimates more than 367,000 education-related jobs were founded.
