JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Missouri officials are at odds over what to do with $189 million of federal money intended to help public schools pay their staff.
Some Republican senators want to reject it as a symbolic statement of discontent with the rising federal deficit. Some have suggested saving it until next year. House budget leaders have proposed using it to replace state money already allocated for schools.
Gov. Jay Nixon has proposed a give-and-take scenario in which schools would get a funding boost this year but a reduction in aid next year - with the expectation they will carry over some of their money into the 2011-2012 school year.
A survey of 319 school districts by state education officials found that 83 percent have reduced their staffs this school year.
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