Phila. schools to get $96 million

The Philadelphia School District will receive an additional $96 million in federal funds over the next two years - the city's share of the $10 billion education jobs bill signed by President Obama last month.

Under the federal guidelines, the money must be used to hire, retain, or rehire teachers or other school employees such as social workers and librarians. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman estimated that the funds will save 524 teaching jobs in the district. "This money does make a difference to the young people," Ackerman said at a news conference Monday. "It will accelerate the academic performance of the students."

Half of the money will be spent this school year and the remainder in 2011-12. Pennsylvania received $387 million from the bill.