Alabama Schools Receive $170M for Coronavirus Relief

Alabama Schools Receive $170M for Coronavirus Relief

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — Alabama schools will see more than $170 million spread across the state for remote learning devices and health care support this fall. 

The money, which comes from the State of Alabama’s $1.9 billion cut of CARES Act funding, will be divided between the Alabama State Department of Education’s (ALSDE) Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and the Educational Remote Learning Devices Grant Program.

“COVID-19 greatly impacted delivery of instruction within our public schools and, in many cases, exposed our weakest areas of remote learning capabilities,” said Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) in a statement. “These funds will allow local schools to be flexible to meet the unique needs of their students while keeping them as safe as possible.” 

The $70 million allotted for the Education Health and Wellness Grant Program will go directly to school districts and are only available to be used for:

  • Salaries for healthcare professionals or aides providing COVID-19 care
  • Contact tracing for COVID-19
  • Temporary facility improvements and supplies for school nurse work areas
  • Creation of isolation areas for symptomatic students
  • Temperature screening equipment
  • School transportation modifications to accommodate health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19

The Educational Remote Learning Devices Grant Program will provide $100 million of direct funds to local education agencies to purchase electronic devices to better facilitate remote learning across the state. 

“The health and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff is a vital part of being able to deliver high-quality instruction to our students and this has been a key priority of the State Board of Education,” said Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey. “I appreciate Governor Ivey’s continued commitment to education in Alabama.” 

According to the release by the Governor’s Office, DeKalb County is set to receive $839,028 through the Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and $1,198,612 through the Education Remote Learning Devices Grant Program.

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