DOWNEY - A bill allocating $4.3 million as Downey Unified School District's share from still available federal stimulus funds has recently been signed by Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado in the governor's absence, according to Kevin Condon, assistant superintendent of business services at DUSD.The funds, spread out over this school year and the next, will be used to save jobs across the board (teachers, staff, custodial), Condon said, just as a previous $8.6 million was incorporated into the district budget in the previous two school years, resulting in similar job/crucial program loss prevention. The money is expected to be released within the next two weeks, and should be a welcome relief, Condon said, in the face of budget uncertainties because of contracting student enrollment and other economic factors as a direct consequence of the budget gridlock in Sacramento. Another $200,000 should be forthcoming to the district at an uncertain date, to complete its entitlement. --Henry Veneracion, Staff Writer

********** Published: September 16, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 22