Today, State Senator Will (D-Westport) applauded the release of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds throughout Connecticut, including more than $3.229 million to local schools. This funding will help local school districts keep their students and staff healthy. It will also help mitigate potential learning loss caused by the pandemic by investing in tutoring, summer school opportunities and other classroom supports.
“Students have suffered tremendously over the last few months, and we know that many have fallen behind as classrooms transitioned from in-person to online,” said Sen. Haskell. “All the while, school districts have been investing in PPE, improvements in air quality, remote learning technology and so other resources to support maintain some educational continuity. I’m grateful that our federal delegation fought for this funding, and I know it will go to good use here in the 26th district.”
In the 26th Senate District, school districts received $3.229 million in funding. Bethel schools received $1.048 million, while New Canaan schools received $442,072, Redding schools $123,276, Ridgefield schools $418,769, Weston schools $228,541, Westport schools $625,705 and Wilton schools $345,794.
Connecticut received $492.43 million in funding in the latest allotment, increasing total Emergency Relief Funds received to just over $600 million. Part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 90 percent of the funding will be allocated to municipal education groups, while the remaining 10 percent will be used for state-level activities.
Approved uses of the funds include coordinating improved COVID-19 response, prevention and preparation efforts; addressing learning loss among students, including groups seen to experience increased learning loss such as low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care; addressing individual schools’ needs; improving sanitation on school campuses; and improving indoor air quality in schools while reducing risk of environmental health hazards, among others.