Schools get virus recovery funds

Virginia schools will get $66.8 million in federal funds to help recover from the COVID-19 virus emergency and prepare for the return to class, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday.

The money comes from the federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, enacted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Northam said $43.4 million will be used as follows for pre-K to grade 12 education:

• $26.9 million to support short-term and long-term initiatives expanding high-speed internet access to all communities in the commonwealth, including providing laptop computers and Mi-Fi devices for students without home internet access.

• $10 million to expand early childhood education and child care programs, especially for children with academic and social-emotional needs.

• $3.5 million to support the expansion of the Virtual Virginia online learning program to provide content for elementary and middle school students; allow teachers in all school divisions to use the platform to create, edit, and share content as well as provide personalized virtual instruction for all students; and expand the Virtual Virginia Professional Learning Network, in partnership with the Virginia Society for Technology, to ensure that educators and technology-support personnel have the capacity and skills to meet the demand for quality online learning.

• $3 million to cover unfunded costs for continuing school-based meals programs while schools remain closed, including hazard pay for school nutrition staff.

About $14.5 million will go to public higher education institutions other than community colleges, and $3.8 million will be allocated to private four-year institutions that are eligible for tuition assistance grants.

A total of $4.9 million will be distributed to the community college system to support the following initiatives:

• One-time funding to address immediate student financial needs.

• Last-dollar scholarships for displaced adults who enroll in stackable credential programs leading to jobs in targeted industry sectors.

• Extending internet access into parking lots on or adjacent to the campuses to help connect students who do not have internet at home.

Also, $175,000 will go to the state’s five higher education centers.