Cove Schools Could Receive $8 Million

The $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month includes an estimated $168 billion "American Rescue Plan" for schools.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Pennsylvania is in line to receive an estimated $13 billion to distributed to school districts, with nearly $8 million going to Cove-area schools.

While area schools have not yet been notified of the exact amount they will receive, reports indicate that Claysburg-Kimmel School District will receive nearly $2.4 million, Spring Cove around $2 million, Williamsburg Community School District a little more than $1 million and Northern Bedford almost $2.7 million.

The American Rescue Plan is the largest federal allotment to K-12 education in history and more than double what the federal government typically spends on education in a year.

According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, once the funds are received, school districts will have until October 2024 to disburse the funds with at least 20 percent of the money to be used to address learning loss during the pandemic and to make a public plan for returning to in-person schooling.

While school districts can't use the funds indiscriminately, there is a wide range of allowable uses under federal education laws such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help get schools on more secure footing after more than a year of instability.

The Department of Education released a list of possible uses for districts to consider, including:

• Investing in resources to implement CDC's K-12 operational strategy for in-person learning to keep educators, staff, and students safe; improving ventilation; purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE); and obtaining additional space to ensure social distancing in classrooms.

• Avoiding layoffs and hiring additional educators to address learning loss, providing support to students and existing staff, and providing sufficient staffing to facilitate social distancing.

• Implementing strategies to meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students hit hardest by the pandemic, including through evidence-based interventions and critical services like community schools.

• Funding summer, after-school, and other extended learning and enrichment programs.

• Hiring additional school personnel, such as nurses and custodial staff, to keep schools safe and healthy.

• Providing for social distancing and safety protocols on buses.

• Funding for wi-fi "hotspots" and devices for students without connectivity for remote learning and supporting educators in the effective use of technology.

Funds can be used to address learning loss among disadvantaged students living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, or living in foster care.

Although she has identified areas of need, Spring Cove Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said the district is waiting on official notification on what their allotment will be as well as greater details on how the funds can be used before making any decisions on how to spend it.

"COVID has increased our costs relative to technology, virtual learning, cleaning/disinfecting, personal protection, so some of the funds will likely continue to support those expenditures. Curricular improvements will be another huge focus of these funds," she said.