HARTFORD, Conn — Gov. Lamont announced Thursday that the state is committing a $266 million package to support school districts safely reopening in the fall, saying "We've got your back and putting our money where our mouth is."
The $266 million has been allocated for the following:
- Academic and staff support
- Student support
- PPE/Building Cleaning
- Transportation
- Technology/Devices/Connectivity
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According to a release, the Coronavirus Relief Funds will complement the $15 million already committed from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) and $111 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds, bringing the total funding for Connecticut schools to $266 million – one of the largest PK-12 state funding plans per-student in the country.
Gov. Lamont says the grants are an essential component to providing the best possible educational opportunities during this uncertain time.
“Through this program, we are going to be able to offer devices, platforms, and internet connectivity to help with distance learning in lower income areas for students just beginning their education through college and graduate school, increase access to higher education by expanding scholarship opportunities, and help those seeking vocational training to launch a new career. This global pandemic has changed the education paradigm and we are fortunate we have this funding to help our state and schools adapt,” the governor said.
“We acknowledge the significant challenges and resources that will be required for ensuring educational equity and public safety during the 2020-21 academic year,” Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said. “By strategically aligning our federal and state resources, we will maximize our efforts to prioritize equitable access to technology and high-quality curriculum, accelerate learning opportunities, and provide for the social and emotional well-being of students, teachers and staff. We are grateful for the additional Coronavirus Relief Funds and will continue to aggressively pursue funding sources to help districts fill funding gaps and meet the anticipated and unknown costs of educating students over the next year.”
