RICHMOND, Va. -- Governor Ralph Northam announced Thursday K-12 public schools in Virginia will receive an additional $220 million in CARES Act funding to help the schools support COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts for the 2020–2021 school year.
The funds will be used towards testing supplies, personal protective equipment, sanitization, and technology for distance learning.
Northam says he is allocating the funds to give Virginia schools the resources they need to "continue operating" and help provide a "world-class education," whether in person or virtual.
“Students, teachers, principals, and parents are going to great lengths to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic amid a new school year, and we must do everything we can to support them,” said Governor Northam.
Funding will be distributed to all 135 public school districts using an allocation formula of $175 per pupil based on fall enrollment. Each school division will receive a minimum of $100,000.
Allocation to Central Virginia school districts:
- Chesterfield: $10,928,120
- Henrico: $8,843,398
- Hanover: $2,978,308
- Richmond: $4,127,480
- Petersburg: $658,088
Click here for the full list of school districts.
“This funding is critical as we continue to provide safe, high-quality education for Virginia students,” said Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane. “I am grateful to Governor Northam for his ongoing support of public education—and I can assure you that his funding will immediately be put to good use.”
The $220 million in CARES Act will supplement $587.5 million allocated to schools in May under the CARES Act and an additional $66.8 million provided through the federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.
