Coronavirus relief money coming to schools

Some good news for school districts.

Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona told school districts on Wednesday what their share of the $111 million federal relief money will be to help in their response to COVID-19.

The announcement to school superintendents comes after the U.S. Department of Education approved the state’s application for funding under the federal CARES Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief

Fund.

“These funds will be an important support for districts as you consider next steps in continuing to provide education in a way that is accessible, equitable and meaningful for the children you serve,” Cardona said.

After taking $11.1 million off the top for the state education department, districts will share the balance of $99.9 million based largely on how much federal Title 1 funding they received in the 2019-20 fiscal year.

In a statement on Thursday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont thanked the state’s

Congressional delegation for securing the federal funds.

“This global pandemic is causing unprecedented consequences that we have never experienced in our lifetimes, and our school systems have been forced to respond in creative ways,” Lamont said. “I applaud our many teachers and educational staff who have been working through this trying time to provide distance learning and continue engaging our students. Our administration is determined to work with school districts to ensure that we can maintain these efforts and every student has access to the educational opportunities that they deserve.”

For the perpetually cashstarved Bridgeport school district, it will mean $9.1 million, which Marlene Siegel, the district’s chief financial officer said she believes can be spread over two to three fiscal years for one-time expenses.

“That is very good news,” Siegel said.

Although the funds can not supplement operating expenses, Siegel said the aid will help as the district works to seal a projected multi-million budget gap in the coming fiscal year. For the first time in a long time, it could mean no layoffs for the district that serves more than 20,000 students.

Bridgeport, however, is not the largest recipient of the CARES Act funding. Hartford is due to get $10.3 million and Waterbury $9.3 million.

New Haven is slated for $8.5 million while Norwalk will get just over $2 million; Danbury, $2.3 million and Stamford, $2.7 million. All districts get something, as will state-funded charter schools.

To access the funds, districts will need to apply.

Cardona said he expects the road to recovery for each school district to be unique, especially as districts try to incorporate social distancing into reopening plans.

The commissioner said he wants the focus to be on using the money to make sure all students have access to technology and connectivity, high-quality curriculum, and social and emotional supports for educators.

In Bridgeport, Siegel said she is still monitoring costs versus savings in the current fiscal year but that it appears that the district will come out ahead by as much as $3 million. The district is spending more on food service during the shutdown; however, the reimbursement rate appears to be greater than anticipated. It is also spending less in several other areas.

She said the funding can be used for compensatory special education services, compensate for loss instructional time and provide for a safe school opening.