McCook Public Schools awarded more federal funding

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Public Schools will receive more funds in the latest round of federal funds created to address the impact of COVID-19 on elementary and secondary schools. This makes $2.5 million in the total amount of federal funds MPS district will be awarded, from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, March 2020), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act), and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act).McCook School District business manager John Brazell told the McCook School Board Monday night at the regular meeting that the district will receive $1.6 million from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funding. The district received $194,023 from ESSER I and $739,295 from ESSER II. The district has until 2024 to use those funds, Brazell said.

Some of that money is being used for the free breakfast/lunch program at the district, he said.

The funds will also be used for HVAC update at McCook Junior High, said Superintendent Grant Norgaard.

Brazell said the district also received $4,482 from the American Rescue Plan as a tax refund for salaries of staff members that were quarantined during the pandemic.

A least 20% of the funding school districts receive from ESSER funds must address learning loss, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.

Other eligible uses include providing principals and other school leaders with resources to address individual school needs; purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software and connectivity) for students; planning and implementing summer learning and supplemental after school programs; and Other activities necessary to maintain school operations and services and employ existing school staff.

Total amounts of ESSER funds received by schools in Southwest Nebraska, according to the NDE, are:

Arapahoe Public Schools: estimated total, $847,298.

Cambridge Public Schools: $388,185

Chase County Schools:$855,061

Dundy County/Stratton Public Schools: $1,044,821

Hayes Center Public Schools: $388,607

Hitchcock County School System: $738,735

Maywood Public Schools: $365,219

Medicine Valley Public Schools: $253,128

Southern Valley Schools: $870,731

Southwest Public Schools: $613,012

Wauneta-Palisade Public Schools:$594,658

The state of Nebraska will have received a total of $854,067.234 from the three rounds of funding, according to the Nebraska State Education Association. States may reserve up to 10% of the grants awarded for emergency needs as determined by the state to address issues concerning the coronavirus; the total amount to the Nebraska Department of Education is $85,406,724.