James Maroney

Senator James Maroney Excited as Nearly $500 Million in Federal Emergency Relief Funds Released in Effort to Reduce Educational Disparities, Including Nearly $12 Million in Local Funds

Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) said he is excited to see the release of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds throughout Connecticut, including nearly $12 million in funds in the 14th district. That funding is dedicated to targeting and reducing educational disparities among students that have been further exacerbated from the pandemic, with possible uses including additional classroom supports, intensive tutoring and enhanced summer school programming.

“This funding gives hope to students, teachers, and families across Connecticut,” said Sen. Maroney. “It’s been a difficult school year and with these additional resources being added to classrooms, there will be less concern to a child receiving the proper education. I am extremely grateful to legislators in Connecticut that requested this funding in order to continue to successfully educate students during unforeseen circumstances.”

In Sen. Maroney’s district, Orange is receiving $164,053 in funding, West Haven is receiving $9,019,305 in funding, Milford is receiving $2,347,456 in funding, and Woodbridge is receiving $202,141 in funding with an additional $244,021 in funding going to District No. 5 in Woodbridge.

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 a 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.