Gov. Tony Evers today announced Wisconsin school districts will get an additional $134 per child through the $110 million in federal COVID-19 funds he is directing their way.
Evers said districts will be able to invest the money in “whatever they need, and most importantly, whatever our kids need.”
The federal government has approved three different COVID-19 packages that include funding for schools. Some of that money, though, comes with restrictions on how and when it can be used.
The guv’s office said there are also no time restrictions on when districts must use the $110 million.
“I’ve always said what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state, and these funds will go a long way toward helping ensure our kids get the services and resources they need to rebound and recover,” Evers said.
When Evers signed the budget in July, he criticized GOP lawmakers for not putting more state money into K-12 education and said he planned to supplement the funding with more than $100 million in federal COVID-19 funds at his disposal. Republicans countered that the state money had to be considered in the context of the $2.4 billion in COVID funds flowing to districts through the three different federal relief packages. That money is divided up through formulas set by the federal government.
Today’s announcement lays out the distribution of the money at Evers’ disposal. Using a per-pupil approach, districts will get the same amount of funding for each student.
A breakdown from the guv’s office shows Milwaukee Public Schools — the state’s largest district at nearly 72,000 students — will get $9.6 million. Norris School District in Mukwonago — the state’s smallest at 16 students — will receive $2,139.
The aid also will benefit independent charter schools with payments ranging from $669 for one with five students to $181,322 to one with 1,356 students.
Evers announced the funding during a stop in Milwaukee, where he was joined by state Superintendent Jill Underly. They also had stops today planned in Chilton, Stevens Point and Holmen.
See the release:
https://www.wispolitics.com/2021/gov-evers-delivers-on-promise-to-do-whats-best-for-kids-invests-110-million-in-wisconsin-kids-and-schools/
See the distribution by district:
https://www.wispolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/21123Schools.pdf
