Aid will address needs brought to light by pandemic

RHINEBECK, N.Y. >> The Rhinebeck school district plans to use $2.2 million in federal coronavirus aid for programs and infrastructure that will meet needs exposed during the protracted period of remote learning.

Superintendent Albert Cousins said this week that the aid includes about $688,000 from the American Rescue Plan and about $1.5 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

The $1.5 million portion of the aid can be put toward such things as building ventilation improvements, the purchase of personal protective equipment, and developing additional instructional space.

Cousins said at least 20% percent of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief money must be spent on supplemental learning experiences for students.

“That means you can’t use this to pay for what you are already doing,” he said. “This is meant to address ... learning needs.”

Programs funded with the larger aid package are expected to help students with academic problems related to class interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic; address students’ social, emotional and mental health needs; and pay for summer school classes as well as programs conducted before and after regular classes.

“You ... have to focus on high-quality learning because that’s the best way to address learning gaps,” Cousins said. “It is to be distributed out of over the next three school years, plus the summer[s].”

Use of the funding will begin this summer and can be spent on programs through August 2024.

Other plans for the aid include broadening students’ access to additional help, adding study groups, and increasing WiFi and library resources.