Laid Off Clarkstown Teachers To Be Offered Jobs Back

Calling it an "win-win" opportunity, Clarkstown school board members Wednesday decided to use part of a new infusion of federal education aid to restore the jobs of three teachers and 11 teacher assistants who were eliminated in the 2010-2011 school budget.

By the time all the financial adjustments are made, schools Superintendent Margaret Keller-Cogan said the district will still have about $1.1 million left from the $1.4 million in new education aid to put toward the 2011-2012 budget. District officials expect that budget to be a difficult one to put together because of the projected loss of $5 million in federal aid with the end of national economic stimulus programs.

The board voted 5-0 to approve a recommendation from Keller-Cogan to spend $394,000 to restore the jobs. Keller-Cogan said about $250,000 of that money will come from the new federal aid, which the district learned last week it would receive.

Keller-Cogan said Wednesday's action allows the restoration of two music teachers and one in technology. School board member Kevin Grogan of West Nyack said teachers and teacher assistants who were laid off will be given the choice of returning to their jobs.

"This is a win-win situation," said Grogan. "It's good for the teachers. It's good for the students. It's good for the parents and the district. It's good for the quality of education in the district. It is good that we will be able to bring people back."

Clarkstown Teachers Association President Greg Montague

was pleased by Wednesday's decision. He had urged the school board take the opportunity created by the new federal aid to restore the teaching positions that were cut from the budget.

"With the restoration of these positions our administrators will be able to make more educationally sound scheduling decisions," Montague said. "The restoration of these three teachers was a very positive step in the right directions. We are still down over 14 teachers compared to last year and their loss will certainly be noted throughout the year as well."

Montague thanked the school board members and the administration Wednesday for the restoration of the jobs. 

" A well-rounded education is a key to success," Montague said.  

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Rockland/Westchester, last week announced Clarkstown would receive the new $1.4 million as part of a federal program designed to help create education jobs and support health care programs. Lowey said debate is continuing in Congress on whether the federal government can extend economic stimulus programs that have helped districts like Clarkstown cope with the nation's economic crisis without having massive tax hikes or major budget cuts.

Keller-Cogan had initially recommended using the entire $1.4 million for the 2011-2012 budget, but the recommendation was updated as school board members saw the new aid as an opportunity to restore jobs cut from the current budget.