Iowa school districts will share $257 million in federal economic stimulus money aimed at saving jobs and jump-starting reform efforts.
The state's 362 districts will get the stabilization money over two years. The funds are part of a federal law signed by President Barack Obama in February. State education officials and district leaders have been waiting for specific amounts and spending rules.
The Iowa Department of Education must sign off on spending plans for all districts.
Many districts plan to put the money back into teaching jobs cut before April 30, the state's deadline for pink slips.
The Iowa State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, estimates 400 teaching jobs statewide were cut.
