School districts get $16M in relief grants
State officials doled out $16 million in grants for coronavirus relief to school districts this week.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education and Gov. Kevin Stitt each contributed $8 million in federal funds allocated to them from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Incentive grants were distributed based on need and size of enrollment.
Nearly all of the 360 school districts that applied for grants said they would use the money to boost internet connectivity for students. A majority of the districts — 212 of them — said they would purchase a content or learning management system for online schoolwork.
Moore Public Schools received the largest possible award of $500,000. Only Broken Arrow Public Schools received as much.
Moore Superintendent Robert Romines said the grant would provide needed internet service to local families.
“With 25,000 students, we're not going to find that every household has connectivity or WiFi internet,” Romines said. “It's going to make a huge impact for this school district.”
Moore is preparing three instructional options for students this school year: traditional in- person classes, a full-time online education and a blend of the two. The district will keep its virtual and blended options long after the pandemic wanes.
COVID- 19 pushed Moore about five years ahead of schedule toward growing its virtual classes, which already existed but on a smaller scale, Romines said. With improved connectivity and a developed curriculum, more students will have access to online schooling through the district.
“We're always going to have intermittent health issues, if students have COVID-19 or they have the flu or they have (mononucleosis) or they've been through a surgical procedure,” Romines said. “That (blended option) is going to be helpful from this point forward. Obviously, the virtual online piece is very, very important because one size does not fit all.”
The grants are only applicable to five priority areas, including internet connectivity, content or learning management systems, and mental health support for students. Schools could use the funds to train educators to teach elementary reading remotely.
Grant money also was available to catch up students who already might have been academically behind, such as children who have disabilities, need credit recovery or are learning English as a second language.
Districts had to pledge 30% of their own CARES Act funds to two of the five priority areas to qualify for a grant.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education ordered all public schools in the state to close after spring break. Every district was instructed to finish the school year with distance learning.
Students who had no technology or internet service at home relied on take- home packets for assignments.
“Our districts indicated an urgent need for funds dedicated to connectivity and digital learning materials, and for good reason,” state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said in a statement. “The pandemic has created a clarion call throughout the state and nation to bridge the digital divide.”
Eighty- four districts said they planned to put grant funds toward student mental health needs. The same number said teacher training for elementary reading was a priority.
Another 74 said they would support compensatory services to students who fell further behind academically.