Schools net federal funding

Alleghany County Schools recently got a shot in the arm in the form of additional funding from the federal government. Specifically, Alleghany County Schools received an initial allotment of $365,368 in federal funds through Federal Education Jobs Fund or EduJobs.

Speaking on potential use of the money, Superintendent Jeff Cox said the funds could be used to help potential future losses from state funding.

Cox commented, "We made substantial cuts at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, but we did not have to terminate anyone this year due to budget cuts. Given that our school year is already well under way, I will be recommending to the board that we save the majority of this funding to relieve what we know is going to be a significant shortfall in funding next school year (2011-2012)."

That shortfall has been predicted to be as much as $1 million to $1.3 million in funding overall and could have resulted in major operational difficulties for the local school system.

"When the stimulus funding goes away, there will be about a $1 billion shortfall statewide.