City to spend $10.1M in federal funds
Danbury parents suggest school officials upgrade technology, offer better support for English learners and struggling students; replace cafeteria curtains at Morris Street School
DANBURY — The anticipated millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds is expected to help the local public schools recover from the pandemic and pay for items and initiatives they otherwise could not afford.
Danbury should see $38.8 million in COVID relief between two packages Congress passed in December and March.
But the anticipated $10.1 million from the first bill was a focus of a Tuesday virtual forum for parents to share how they want the district to spend
the money.
“The ESSER (abbreviation for the money from the December bill) funds provide extra resources for school systems across the state of Connecticut to help support reopening schools, to help support significant learning loss and to take any actions that we can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on students and families,” Assistant Superintendent Kevin Walston told parents.
That means the district could invest in technology, hire interventionists to work with struggling students and maybe even replace those old curtains in the Morris Street Elementary School cafeteria — something a couple of parents requested.
“I can’t promise you on the curtains, but we will even try to make the curtains happen, as well,” said Walston, to the cheers of some on the Zoom call.
The funding comes as the
governor plans to keep state grants flat and Danbury schools request a 9.8 percent increase in city spending in its $149 million budget proposal for next year.
But Danbury may not use the money to cover any routine expenses, such as hiring new teachers, because the district will not have these funds in years to come, Walston said.
“We can get really creative with these monies, but we can’t expect to have 25 new teachers because in three years, those 25 teachers may all be gone,” he said. “We have to be creative. We want to be innovative, but also don’t want to create a system we can no longer afford, while we’re supporting students during these times.”
Other local schools, including Region 15, which covers Southbury and Middlebury, are still figuring how to to spend the funding.
The forum was part of the process the district must go through to gain approval from the state to earn the grant, which the schools are planning to submit for next week. No problems are expected in receiving the funding.
But it was also a chance for administrators to hear families’ concerns and feedback, primarily from Spanish-speaking parents. Nearly 28 percent
of Danbury students are English learners, according to state data.
Tuesday’s forum was held largely in Spanish, but an English forum is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday over Zoom. Parents may also fill out a survey on how they want the schools to spend the money.
Parents asked for more support for their children in math and reading, as well as for English learners and special education students.
One mother, Patricia Morocho, asked for an initiative to build parents’ technology skills with platforms like Google Classroom, so they could better help their children on distance learning.
“For me it’s a good idea if you have a program for the parents to teach them how they can use the computer,” she said.
Better engaging families and upgrading technology are among administrators’ goals with the money. The district also plans to prioritize academic supports for students disproportionately affected by the pandemic, especially English learners and those with disabilities or whose progress has decreased.
Another aim is improving the buildings to prevent the spread of the virus, with projects like upgrades to air quality.
One parent said the district needs to do a better job cleaning the schools.
The district has hired a new custodian
for every school to better clean touch points and bathrooms.
“We recognize the need for more presence in the schools for cleaning,” said Courtney LeBorious, director of business operations.
Replacing old furniture is a priority, too, in particular to purchase desks that provide better opportunities for social distancing, Walston said.
“The great thing is when COVID subsidies and we can get back to normal, those same desks that are separate now will be able to come back into group work, and kids will be able to work in groups and cooperative learning,” he said.
Another parent asked for more bilingual educators. About 11 bilingual teachers and paraprofessionals are included in the school board’s budget proposal, which the mayor and City Council must review.
“Given the resources that are going to be made available, one way or the other, we will be prioritizing those needs,” Walston said.
But parents also want additional staff who speak Spanish or Portuguese and can help them navigate the school environment.
“Frankly, that will be one of the goals for the district because we recognize all our schools could use that kind of support, and even then it’s not likely to be enough,” Walston said.