Wilhelm: Federal funding could save 29 teacher jobs in NE Iowa

Iowa will receive an estimated $96 million from the federal Education Jobs Act, says Iowa Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm.

She announced Wednesday that the nonpartisan Legislative Service Agency has estimated that schools in her district will receive approximately $1,500,000.  Wilhelm says, based on last year's average teacher salary in school districts within her state senate district, that would pay the wages of 29 teachers.
 
In Winneshiek county, the Decorah school district is scheduled to receive  $278,049 in federal funds; North Winneshiek will get  $62,263; South Winneshiek will get  $122,819; and Turkey Valley will receive $87,856.
 
In Allamakee County, the Allamakee school district will receive $252,210; the Eastern Allamakee school district will receive $83,787 and the Postville school district will receive $117,932.

In Howard County,  Fredericksburg will receive $55,951; Howard-Winneshiek will receive $276,953 and New Hampton will receive $204,613.

"This money should be released to local schools as soon as possible," Wilhelm said.