Financial hope may be on the horizon for Arlington public schools, and that might spell good news for traffic supervisors. A federal bill with $655 million for the Bay State was signed by President Obama Aug. 10 after passing the House, and Governor Patrick says he will use the money to restore budget cuts.

Depending on what Arlington receives, if this measure passes, some of the 31 supervisors who lost their jobs in June to budget cuts could have their positions restored.

Your View: More for Ottoson guidance?

Town Web site: Complete report presented to School Committee Aug. 3 | Globe, Aug. 15: 'Walking school buses' urged

Aug. 3: Gap Fund tops $597K after final deadline

The School Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 3, approved a motion, 6-0, to use "available money" to hire additional teaching assistants and restore traffic supervisors according to a recommendation made the selectmen's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The vote, delayed by a lengthy, closed grievance hearing, came after 11 p.m. and after member Joseph Curran had to leave.

The TAC report, presented by Ed Starr and Elizabeth Carr-Jones, recommends retaining 15 shifts of the highest-risk positions. The cost would be $52,000.

In addition, the committee agreed to Superintendent Kathy Bodie's recommendations for allocating the last $100,000 raised by the Bridge the Gap fund campaign. To date, the effort brought in $597,682.

Recommendations approved were:

• $47,000, 1.0 physical education teacher

• $20,000, relief for athletics fees

• $16,000, 1.0 teaching assistant to cover elementary prep periods for physical education

• $15,000, middle-school math support (tutoring)

• $2,000, additional middle-school guidance support

Member Cindy Starks made a motion to eliminate the relief for athletics fees and the physical education teacher in order to hire more kindergarten aides. After discussion, only Stark voted for the motion, and it failed.

During public participation, six people spoke about large kindergarten class sizes at the Brackett School. 

FY2011 budget impact on staff

Bodie also noted the impact that the fiscal 2011 budget has had on staff. She said 103.43 full-time equivalent positions were eliminated districtwide (the number does not mean 103 people). Earlier, Bridge the Gap fundraising restored 15.1 positions.

As for individuals, the following will not have jobs in 2011-2012 because of cuts: 

• 34 professional teachers

• 11 nonteachers (those without contracts, mainly teaching assistantsand other support personnel 

• 5 secretaries

Tn other business, the committee voted, 7-0:

• To give its blessing to a state safe-routes project to improve walks near the Dallin Elementary School. It will involve "a couple of hundred thousand dollars," none of it town funds, and work is expected to begin next spring.

• For the possible relocation of preschool programs from the high school to the Thompson Elementary School. Chief Financial Officer Diane Johnson said the current space is no longer adequate. The district is required to accommodate 60 percent of nondisabled children and 40 percent disabled, and the attendance has continued to grow.