After years of unpredictable funding streams, the directors of the state's 133 teacher centers have learned to become pretty strong swimmers just to stay afloat.

But this year, it's been harder than ever to keep their heads above water, as a bureaucratic snafu left teacher centers without any promised funding since July 1.

For the North Country Teacher Resource Center, the cash flow problem became so severe it was slated to close its doors Oct. 30.

But in an 11th-hour reprieve, NYSUT's advocacy helped unsnarl the bureaucratic red tape, and the Plattsburgh center was told by the state it could continue operating with the "assurance" that release of the funds is imminent.

"We're pleased our persistence has helped break the logjam," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "We worked closely with our partners in the Legislature, the Regents and the State Education department."

Neira noted that SED Commissioner David Steiner, still in his first couple of weeks on the job, took an active role in resolving the problem.

This year's funding situation was complicated by the fact that $40 million in aid for all teacher centers came via the federal stimulus package, not directly from the state treasury.

Initially, the teacher centers were cut entirely from the governor's proposed 2009-10 budget, but state leaders agreed to earmark the federal funding after considerable lobbying by teacher center advocates and NYSUT's legislative department.

However, the federal funding comes with strings attached, including new reporting rules. Neira said all teacher centers have been notified of the additional data collection needed and that the funding is expected to be disbursed soon.

"We'll have to work through the new regulations, but the bottom line is that the funding will be released — and the Plattsburgh center can stay open," Neira said.

One positive outcome of the bureaucratic tangle is SED's unequivocal support for the quality of teacher centers' work. Community advocates have also strongly underscored how valuable the professional development network is.

The state Legislature created teacher centers in 1984 to help educators effectively infuse new technology and share best practices. The teacher-driven professional development network is a national model.

North Country educators said closing the teacher center would impact thousands of college students and educators in the region who use it for professional development, mentor programs, classroom supplies, enrichment activities and workshops.

In a front-page story in the local newspaper, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, R-Plattsburgh, noted that numerous teachers and area district administrators had talked to her about the importance of the teacher center to them, their classroom and their students.

"It's great to know how important you are to the community, and we just want to issue a very big thank-you," said Kathleen Fessette, assistant director of the North Country Teacher Resource Center.

While the North Country center's financial situation was most severe, other teacher centers around the state reported that the funding holdup has made it extremely difficult to meet increasing demands for professional development.

"Our summer courses were packed — we filled three courses for Smart Board training," said Jennifer Bova, director of the OWL Teacher Center on Long Island.

Another popular offering is a professional circle for area special education teachers who share best practices to improve their instruction.

This month, the teacher center directors will be attending a statewide conference to focus on implementing the state's recently approved research-based professional development standards.