Markosek: Almost $150K in COVID-19 funding awarded to help local special needs students

Funding will help local schools provide services to students with disabilities 

Rep. Brandon Markosek    August 20, 2020 | 8:56 PM

MONROEVILLE, Aug. 20 – With challenges never seen before affecting the school year ahead, Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, today announced $147,633 in COVID-19 relief funding has been awarded to local schools to assist students with special needs. 

“All of our kids will be adjusting to the new routine that COVID-19 has forced on our schools,” Markosek said. “Our special needs students require extra accommodations to deliver all the support they need to succeed. None of these school modifications are ideal, but this money will help to make sure schools can continue to connect students to the services and support that is critical for them to grow academically.”  

Grants awarded to school districts with schools in the 25th Legislative District are: 

  • Woodland Hills School District: $62,080. 

  • Plum Borough School District: $26,772. 

  • Gateway School District: $25,118. 

  • Penn-Trafford School District: $22,166. 

  • East Allegheny School District: $9781. 

  • Propel Charter Schools – Pitcairn: $1,713. 

Markosek has been a strong supporter of special education students and the programs that support them. As co-chair of the Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Caucus, he has worked on legislation to help overcome challenges that these students and their families face. 

“Coronavirus or not, all students need a quality education to thrive, and they can’t afford to miss a year. I want to make sure school districts have the resources they need to deliver that to every student, regardless of their learning abilities,” Markosek said. 

The Special Education COVID-19 Impact Mitigation Grant will provide $15 million state-wide in financial support to local education agencies to: 

  • Provide enhanced, real-time instruction to bolster remote services and supports for students with complex needs. 

  • Provide services and supports to students with disabilities who experienced a loss in skills and behavior and/or a lack of progress due to the mandatory school closures. 

Funding from the program comes from federal coronavirus relief money, which states can allocate to meet local needs. 

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