Winchester School District to get Added Funds

The Winchester School District will see a boost in funding, as it will receive $231,821 from the federal government's recently passed Education Jobs Fund Legislation.

On Wednesday, August 25, Governor Deval Patrick announced the release of the $204 million to school districts statewide. On Tuesday, the state also received $250 million in federal funds from the "Race to the Top" program.

A combination of state and federal dollars totaling $4.07 billion will ensure all school districts receive more state aid - at least $25 per student - than they did last year.

Currently the Winchester School District has a little more than 4,000 students enrolled for the fall.

"Students cannot be successful without a well trained and fully supported teacher at the head of the classroom," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. "These funds will help to counter the fiscal downturn that our districts are experiencing."

Earlier this month, on Tuesday, August 10, President Obama signed the Education Jobs Fund into law, providing $26 billion nationwide to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees. The $204 million awarded to Massachusetts will be directly distributed to school districts through the state's education funding formula and combined with state and federal funds to ensure that every school district across the state meets its budget for the 2010-2011 school year.

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