TEA TO USE CARES ACT FUNDS TO OFFSET BUDGET COSTS; SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL NOT GET MONEY DIRECTLY

  

School districts in Texas that were planning to receive supplemental funding to help with COVID-19 recovery efforts will have to figure out other means for direct assistance.

Earlier this week, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced it would be putting the $1.3 billion received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act toward its budget to cover money lost during the 2019-20 school year, rather than giving the money directly to school districts.

The CARES Act Relief Fund listed entitlement amounts for all school districts based on student population.  Brenham ISD’s entitlement amount, according to the document, was $785,233, while Burton ISD’s was $52,672.

Brenham ISD Interim Superintendent Huey Kinchen said the district is disappointed that it will not receive the extra funds, saying they could have been used to help cover costs and fill gaps created by COVID-19.  However, he said the money was not included in the district’s regular budget.

KWHI reached out to Burton ISD Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy for comment, but did not receive a response.

According to the TEA, the CARES Act features several different avenues of funding, including the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).  The ESSER Fund acts primarily as a formula grant program for local education agencies (LEA), while the CRF reimburses LEAs for COVID-19 related expenditures, like cleaning supplies.

Click here to learn more about CARES Act funding and COVID-19 expense reimbursement.

Full statement below from Brenham ISD Interim Superintendent Huey Kinchen:

While we are disappointed that our district will not receive those funds, that amount was not included in our regular budget. Although those funds could have been used to help cover costs and fill gaps created by COVID-19, our district continues to seek innovative and cost-effective approaches to teaching and learning. Our goal is always to be good stewards of the money we receive and we remain committed to providing an exceptional education for our students under any circumstances.