Burns: Local schools could receive $4.4 million in emergency federal funding
Lawmaker urges federal government to expedite approval of state application
Rep. Frank Burns May 7, 2020 | 5:19 PM
EBENSBURG, May 7 – Under an emergency federal funding program, schools in the 72nd District could receive more than $4.4 million, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, said today, as he urged the federal government to expedite approval of Pennsylvania’s funding application.
“We don’t yet have a full picture of what this crisis is going to do to our schools’ budget, but we know it's not going to be good. We need the federal government to approve this application so this money can start to flow to our local schools,” Burns said. “With enormous financial pressure on schools and local governments, it’s critical the federal government make funds available.”
Earlier this week, the state filed an application to the U.S. Department of Education to obtain approximately $523.8 million in emergency, one-time funds to help schools respond to COVID-19 impacts.
Locally, it is estimated school districts would receive the following funding:
- CAMBRIA HEIGHTS: $205,568.
- CENTRAL CAMBRIA: $305,360.
- CONEMAUGH VALLEY: $229,515.
- FERNDALE AREA: $248,305.
- FOREST HILLS: $390,269.
- GLENDALE: $143,619.
- GREATER JOHNSTOWN: $2.22 million.
- PENN CAMBRIA: $297,366.
- PORTAGE AREA: $211,092.
- WESTMONT HILLTOP: $194,015.
Pennsylvania Department of Education officials expect the federal government to approve the state’s application within one week.
Burns noted that once the state receives federal approval, school districts will still have to apply to PDE for their share of the funding. PDE is finalizing a straightforward application to ensure that funds can be awarded to schools quickly. Any school district that would like assistance in applying once the funding is approved may contact Rep. Burns’ Portage office at 814-736-7339.