According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than $54 billion in emergency relief funding is now available to support fully reopening K-12 schools, facilitating learning, and measuring and addressing the learning loss caused by a lack of in-person education. This funding is allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021,
The funding allocations are part of the $81.9 billion Congress allocated to the Education Stabilization Fund in the latest COVID relief package. It follows the $30 billion allocated by the CARES Act, and likewise will be distributed to K-12 schools.
The funds may be used for a variety of purposes, including expenditures that let school districts continue operations and keep employing their existing staff.
Among the permitted expenses are school building repairs and renovations to reduce the risk of virus transmission. This could include touchless door opening systems, temperature monitoring equipment, improved ventilation, and other system upgrades to ensure student and staff safety.
K-12 public schools across Michigan will be allocated approximately $1.6 billion from the federal funding package. For Illinois schools the allocation totals approximately $2.2 billion.
After a prolonged period of slow school construction and renovation activity, school districts, hoping to receive some of the newly released funding, are turning to architects and contractors to jump-start their building projects.
Sonitrol Great Lakes has a more than 50-year span of experience with projects aimed at improving facility health and safety and stands ready to consult with school districts on their upcoming building upgrades. Contact us to learn more.