Cathy Osten

Sen. Osten Welcomes $492 Million in Emergency Federal Education Relief for Connecticut, Including $11.67 Million for 10 Area Towns

State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed the receipt of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for Connecticut, including $11,672,913 in federal funding for schools in the 19th State Senate District towns she represents. 

The federal funds, which are part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, must be used to reduce educational disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Local funding incudes:

• Columbia, $101,932
• Franklin, $59,165
• Hebron, $54,835
• Lebanon, $210,916
• Ledyard, $920,023
• Lisbon, $222,501
• Marlborough, $65,840
• Montville, $1,192,789
• Norwich, $8,513,437
• Sprague, $331,475

“Time and time again the state and federal governments have come to the rescue with funding for cities and towns to try and get us through this awful virus pandemic with as much social and economic normality as possible. This is yet another example of that government support, which is aimed at keeping our young students involved and learning and growing in school. It’s a great investment and is certainly much needed,” Sen. Osten said.

Approved uses of the federal 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.