With federal money made available this year, Hall County Schools are in the process of hiring 15 to 25 part-time teachers.

"Staff is where we want to be spending money," Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield said. "That is what we need the most."

Schofield said because the district's poverty rate continues to climb, a record amount of Title I money was sent to Hall County Schools. The federal funds are provided to districts with the highest percentage of children from low-income families.

Funding for personnel also became available this year after none of the district's schools were labeled as "needs improvement" under the No Child Left Behind Act, Schofield said. About $1 million that would have been reserved for school transfers and supplemental service, is now available for other purposes.

With about $1.5 million for personnel, Schofield said the district is looking to hire part-time teachers to begin work this school year at Title I schools, which include nine elementary schools and two middle schools.

The plan is to have them support small academic groups in reading, language arts and math.

"This will do exactly what Title I should do: put more support into the classrooms of the children that need it the most," Schofield said.

A group is already screening applicants, who will be hired by a committee of principals who represent the schools. Only applications completed online will be considered. Schofield said the positions have no guarantee beyond the current school year.

"We don't know what next year is going to be when it comes to federal funds," Schofield said.

The positions also include benefits, he added.