Monday, March 29, 2021

Schuylkill County School Districts Allocated More ESSER Funding


On Monday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvania is expected to receive $4.9 billion in federal relief funds to help Pre-K to 12 schools return students to classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding is being provided by the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund that was passed by Congress.

In total, $33,764,168 will be allocated to Schuylkill County school Districts.

This marks the third round of funding that school districts have received during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The first two rounds were approved during the President Trump administration and this most recent funding was approved under President Biden.

At least 90 percent, or $4.5 billion, of the funds will flow to traditional public school districts and charter schools. Each entity will receive an amount proportional to the federal Title I-A funds received in 2020 under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The school districts and charter schools must use at least 20 percent of this money to address learning loss and the social, emotional, and academic needs of underrepresented students, including students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.

Schools can use the rest of the funding for a wide range of activities, including food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; and mental health supports.

The following amounts were allocated to the listed Schuylkill County School Districts:

Blue Mountain - $2,375,995

Gillingham Charter - $445,971

Mahanoy Area - $3,067,749

Minersville - $2,149,956

North Schuylkill - $3,216,234

Pine Grove - $2,460,168

Pottsville - $5,515,566

Schuylkill Haven - $1,559,623

Shenandoah Valley - $4,915,981

St. Clair Area - $1,200,371

Tamaqua Area - $3,843,904

Tri-Valley - $805,029

Williams Valley - $2,207,621