Allegheny County – October 27, 2020 – Today, Senator Pam Iovino announced that $1.5 million in CARES grant funds will be awarded to all 16 public school districts in the 37th Senatorial District to help cover costs related to COVID-19.
“As our public schools in the 37th District carry out their mission in the midst of the continued spread of COVID-19 in our communities, this funding will help support their adapted operations and ensure that our schools continue to function effectively and safely,” said Senator Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington). “Our public schools are still facing increased costs related to the pandemic, and these grants will help defray those costs and minimize the impact on our schools.”
Grants to the 37th Senatorial District, non-competitively awarded based on the school district’s average daily membership, include:
- Avonworth School District – $58,475
- Baldwin-Whitehall School District – $133,092
- Bethel Park School District – $115,306
- Carlynton School District – $40,105
- Chartiers Valley School District – $96,825
- Fort Cherry School District – $28,172
- Montour School District – $85,418
- Moon Area School District – $120,457
- Mt. Lebanon School District – $166,514
- Peters Township School District – $119,639
- Quaker Valley School District – $63,202
- South Fayette Township School District – $114,286
- South Park School District – $50,333
- Upper St. Clair School District – $119,285
- West Allegheny School District – $97,738
- West Jefferson Hills School District – $100,880
Schools Districts can use the grant funding for any of the following purposes related to COVID-19:
- Purchasing of cleaning and sanitizing products that meet CDC or PA Department of Health criteria.
- Training and professional development of staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious disease.
- Purchasing of equipment, including PPE, thermometers, infrared cameras and other necessary cameras.
- Modification of existing areas to effectuate appropriate social distancing to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
- Providing mental health services and supports, including trauma-informed approaches for students impacted by COVID.
- Purchasing educational technology for distance learning to ensure continuity of education.
- Other health and safety programs, items or services necessary to address COVID.
The $1,509,727 in funding, part of the CARES Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSR) Fund, was announced as part of a $49.8 million statewide package approved today by the School Safety and Security Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The CARES budget passed by the General Assembly in May 2020 included $200 million in funding for schools’ COVID-related costs. Of that $200 million, $150 million came from Pennsylvania’s CARES allocation; this funding was approved in June and has already been distributed to schools. The remaining $49.8 million was ESSR funding; distribution of this money to schools has been on hold while the Pennsylvania Department of Education awaited approval for the use of the funds from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). Federal approval was given last week. As part of a requirement by USDOE, school districts must re-apply to PCCD to receive funding on a rolling basis. All school districts that complete the re-application are guaranteed to receive the funds to which they are entitled.
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