Department of Education Video Highlights School Counselor Jobs Saved in Fairfax County, Va.
Jobs Among Hundreds of Thousands Saved or Created Through ARRA
Archived Information


FOR RELEASE:
December 16, 2009
Contact: Eddie Lee
(202) 401-1576 or
press@ed.gov

The U.S. Department of Education today released a six-minute video about three school counselors whose jobs were saved by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDjlB9l8O7Y.

The counselors, Sue Synan, Jill Wilson and Jon-Paul Sousa, all work for the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia where they provide academic support for students applying to colleges and help students address problems they face outside of the classroom. In spring 2009, Synan, Wilson and Sousa were among 58 counselors in the district who were notified that their jobs would be eliminated due to the Fairfax County Public Schools' $219 million budget deficit.

Through the ARRA, the school district received $49.3 million in stimulus money. Some of the funding was used to save all 58 counselor positions, ensuring that students would receive necessary academic and emotional support.

“We knew that counselors were vital, and we are fortunate to have saved these jobs through this funding,” Assistant Superintendent Kim Dockery said.

In February 2009, ARRA allocated $100 billion to the U.S. Department of Education to save and create jobs and drive reform. According to www.recovery.gov, approximately 325,000 education jobs were either created or saved to date.

This video is one of a series produced by the Department of Education about the impact of ARRA on education jobs. Others include:

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Last Modified: 12/16/2009