School district officials are reacting this morning to news that one central New York district did not apply for millions in available educational funding from the government.

The city's teachers association did not apply for more than $2.5 million, a move that is being questioned now not only by local officials by state educators as well.

Carla Percia is the Utica City School District Director of Grants, Contracts, and Compliance.  She says that the district was officially given four reasons why the UTA President, whose name ironically is "Grant," did not apply for the funding, despite what many describe as a "desperate" financial situation in the Utica City School District.

 


Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
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Utica City School Board President Christopher Salatino agrees that the reasons behind the lack of grant applications are raising eyebrows, especially given the fact that the grants were signed off on by the administration.

 

 

Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
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Further complicating the issue is that Percia says that the Utica district was "the poster child" for at least one of the grants, the "Race to the Top" funding which dealt with teacher training and development.  Salatino said the grant would only have helped the district meet the requirements brought on by the newly-implemented Common Core.


Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
Photo: Kristine Bellino, WIBX
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Audio from the show will be posted below later this afternoon.

Cherie Grant, President of the Utica Teachers Association, has not been available for additional comment, despite repeated attempts by WIBX.

Original Story:

Photo: Kristine Bellino
Photo: Kristine Bellino
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