PA Allocates $2.2 Billion To Schools To Weather Pandemic

PENNSYLVANIA — A massive influx of stimulus money from the federal government will be used by Pennsylvania to assist schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic statewide.

The $2.2 billion in funds will be used on a variety of support programs as the virus continues to threaten school communities in the New Year. That includes technological improvements for remote learning, food programs, and more.

“This extra funding is critical to help schools meet the unique needs of educating students at this time while keeping school buildings safe when students return to the classroom," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement Thursday.

To determine how the funding is distributed throughout the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will look at the number of low income students in each school district.

State officials urged districts to focus the investments on the most vulnerable students and families, including students with disabilities, homeless students, foster care children, English language learners, and all those suffering from the effects of poverty, who the pandemic has struck the hardest.

The funds must be used by Sept. 2023. Other permitted uses aside from food service and technology purchases are sanitizing and cleaning supplies, summer and after-school programs, professional training, and mental health support, authorities said.

While the vaccine is on the way, cases of coronavirus continue to be widespread. Many school districts remain either shut down or in the midst of hybrid education programs which rely on remote learning platforms. Online learning presents its own unique challenges, and parents continue to struggle with childcare.

Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega praised the grants, but said that more was needed.

“We are thankful for the bipartisan effort to support school communities during this time, but PDE will be advocating for additional action from Congress in the days, weeks, and months ahead and I encourage educators to join us in raising their voices," he said.

School districts must submit applications online to receive their allocation.