Senators Kennedy, Kerry Announce $666 Million In Federal Funds For Massachusetts Education

May 27, 2009 -- BOSTON, MA - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that Massachusetts will receive $666 million in economic recovery funds through the U.S. Department of Education’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The funds are being made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year.

The $666 million for Massachusetts will be used to protect and create jobs and improve education in the Commonwealth. The funds are intended to save education jobs and keep teachers in the classroom, modernize and strengthen public schools, and provide support to colleges in the current the economic crisis.

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Senator Kennedy said, “This funding is a major and urgently needed investment in Massachusetts schools and students. The assistance will help cities and towns avoid teacher layoffs, and make sure that our schools can continue to give Massachusetts students the education they need to do well in the future. In these difficult economic times, support for our students, schools, and colleges is among the best investments we can make, and these funds will have significant benefits to families and communities across our Commonwealth.”

“This incredible investment will provide an economic boost to schools throughout Massachusetts, helping us retain qualified teachers and modernize our classrooms. I am grateful to President Obama and the U.S. Department of Education for providing Massachusetts with the resources necessary so that all school districts and all children, in all corners of our state can thrive and grow,” said Senator Kerry.

For more information on Massachusetts’ and other states’ applications for initial funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program, please visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/resources.html. For more information on education provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please visit http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html.

Source: Senator Edward M. Kennedy