Combined, school districts in Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties will soon receive nearly $5.5 million from the federal jobs program.

The number sounds impressive until you consider that money going to the eight school districts in the tri-county area will do little more than help them keep the employees they have on payroll.

The federal jobs bill, among other objectives, is designed to relieve strained public education budgets. The second round of the stimulus package was passed in August by Congress, and the money will allow K-12 schools to presumably avoid more layoffs and reduce the need to tap depleted reserves.

Already taking a hit from two years of proration that has reduced state appropriations by more than $2.4 billion, schools statewide likely are facing another blow later this month if additional proration is declared as expected.

Few school officials are complaining about the stimulus money heading their way, but they still face tough decisions.

Locally, the money is primarily being used to pay employees. Some districts are considering hiring additional employees to offset recent cuts.

The stimulus funds must be spent before Sept. 30, 2011.

“It has to be used for school-based personnel; it has to be a school employee directly connected to a school,” said Rettia Stanfield, Sheffield's chief school financial officer. She said Sheffield will receive $234,798.

“We're hoping to plug this in the beginning of October so we can meet the payroll before proration is declared,” Strickland said. “It will help cover salaries and benefits and no doubt will help. But just like the stimulus money we had through this month, it's a temporary fix.”

Jeff Cornelius, assistant superintendent for Colbert County schools, said the half-million dollars his district gets won't enter into future planning.

“It's a one-time deal, but it will certainly help for this year,” he said. “It will help us cover the local units we fund, and we're fortunate to be able to do that for another year.”

Tuscumbia's district will receive $314,511, and Superintendent Joe Walters said it's the most flexible money his district will have in its general fund, which pays teacher salaries.

“We're paying for local units that otherwise would be paid for from the general fund,” he said. “We'll maintain our reserve fund. This is going to allow us the most flexibility coming into the next year when we'll likely have to go into our reserves (because of more proration).”

In Lauderdale County, the money is expected to slow what has been a fast bleed of the district's reserves, according to Superintendent Billy

Valentine.

“It will save jobs this year,” he said. “While it won't add any back, it could prevent us from having to make severe cuts next year. This money will help us plug up part of the hole created by additional proration, which for us could be $2.5 million.

“(The money) is welcomed,” Valentine said. “It just continues to put off the final loss of a great deal of funds. I think they're trying to buy time until the economy rebounds. If they keep passing stimulus money, we'll keep taking it. But at some point in time, it has got to run its course.”

Franklin County Superintendent Gary Williams called the nearly $690,000 his district is getting “a big shot in the arm.”

“It will help us make ends meet,” he said. “With districts like ours, it will help keep us from borrowing more money. We're expecting the October budget to be better.”

George Harper, Russellville administrative assistant, said he's glad the money is coming because when the current stimulus money comes to an end Sept. 30, the district would have been losing $800,000 per year.

“We had that money for two years, and we're going to be replacing it with just over half that amount, but the fact that we're getting some money is good news,” Harper said. “We'll continue to save jobs with that money.”

Connie Roberts, Florence chief financial officer, said her district will be using the new stimulus money to prevent tapping into the general fund.

“The money helps us this year, which allows us to save general fund money for next year when we know we're going to get hit hard,” Robert said.

Judy Wallace, chief school financial officer of the Muscle Shoals district, said she is being cautious in determining how the money is going to be used.

“All we know is it will be for salary and benefits, but we don't know yet all the particulars because we're still analyzing our needs,” Wallace said. “We're most appreciative of the money. One thing is for certain — it's going to help us.”

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.