Matzie urges schools to apply for $2.6 million to support continued learning during pandemic
Rep. Robert Matzie May 8, 2020 | 3:11 PM
AMBRIDGE, May 8 – Federal CARES Act funding of approximately $2.67 million has been allocated to area school districts to ensure students have the resources they need to continue learning during the pandemic, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding to seven school districts in the 16th Legislative District will be critical to helping schools develop and deliver ongoing education and supports.
“Soon after the pandemic forced a halt to classroom learning, our dedicated teachers were quickly back on the job, working to provide online and remote lessons,” Matzie said. “But a comprehensive plan is needed beyond those stopgap measures. This funding is going to allow our districts to get back up and running and to re-engineer a reliable, new system of learning that works for any environment. It’s also going to ensure that all kids have the resources they need to benefit from it – regardless of household income.
“I’m encouraging our districts to be ready to apply as soon as the federal funding is approved and streamlined applications are posted by the state Department of Education.”
Matzie said the following funding is allocated:
- Aliquippa School District – $794,013.
- Ambridge Area School District – $517,155.
- Baden Academy Charter School – $166,873.
- Central Valley School District – $263,396.
- Freedom Area School District – $246,971.
- Hopewell Area School District – $216,204.
- Quaker Valley School District – $148,828.
- Rochester Area School District – $318,152.
The money comes from the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund under the CARES Act and may be used for maintaining continuity of education and services, mental health supports, planning and coordination, purchasing technology, addressing unique needs of vulnerable populations, summer learning or after school programming, and sanitizing supplies.
School districts and charter schools must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to obtain their allocated funds. Once the U.S. Department of Education approves the state application, which is expected to happen within one week, PDE will post a streamlined application for districts and charter schools to use.
The CARES Act directs $471.4 million to Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools in amounts proportionate to their share of Title I-A funds.
Additional information about the funding is available here.