Cleveland schools using stimulus money for deficit

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland public schools will use $7 million in federal economic-development stimulus money to cut a $14 million budget deficit in half.

The plan emerged Monday after a teacher early retirement offer failed to attract enough takers. The district wanted 200 veteran teachers to participate, but only 21 volunteered.

Instead, the district will use federal money to pay the salaries of at least 50 teachers.

Schools CEO Eugene Sanders hopes the latest plan avoids layoffs. He wants to cover the rest of the deficit with a hiring freeze, energy savings and other cuts.