- Funding Arrives Just in Time for Back-to-School -

Arlington, NY – U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) announced Monday that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has succeeded in saving and creating jobs in school districts in Dutchess County and across the Hudson Valley. He was joined by Arlington Central School District Superintendant Frank Pepe who is now able to say definitively that at least 83 jobs have been saved in the Arlington district as a direct result of the Recovery Act. Arlington Central School District is characteristic of the results that the Recovery Act has had in the Hudson Valley.

"With the beginning of the new school year just days away, I'm pleased to be able to say that students returning to class this fall will be able to see and learn from their favorite teachers, administrators, school monitors and teaching assistants," said Congressman Hall. "For our region, the prevention of teacher layoffs will also benefit the small businesses that they patronize, small businesses that are the backbone of our communities."

Congressman John Hall is joined by Superintendent Pepe and Arlington Teachers' Association Vice-President Greg Nieman

"The Recovery Act averted catastrophic cuts in jobs, programs and services," said Superintendent Pepe. "I'm happy to host Congressman Hall here today to show him what his work in Washington means for our students. Without the Recovery Act, the school district would have been unrecognizable and those cuts would have erased 40 years of progress."

Greg Nieman, who teaches social studies at Arlington High School and serves as First Vice-President for the Arlington Teachers' Association was on hand to thank the Congressman for preventing teacher layoffs and for preserving vital programs for the children of the Arlington School District.

"I’m glad I was there to express our gratitude to Congressman Hall," Nieman said. "The Recovery Act has provided the funding to support quality education in the Arlington schools. Without the assistance of the Recovery Act, budget cuts would have led to severe cut backs to programs vital to the education of Arlington students."

Because of Recovery funding no full time teachers have been laid off in the Arlington School District.

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