State awards $5.1M in grants to aid with remote learning during school closure

Nearly 100 school districts and schools statewide are getting part of nearly $5.1 million in state grants to help pay for remote learning efforts while classrooms are closed during the covid-19 pandemic.

The grants can be used to buy laptops, tablets and internet hot spots; paper, postage and shipping; and other accommodations that increase student access and participation in learning, according to the state Department of Education.

Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources were given priority in receiving the grants, according to the department.

“Grants were competitively selected and took into consideration the (school’s) poverty rate and the percentage of students not able to participate in the school’s continuity of education plan,” department spokesman Eric Levis said.

Of the $5.1 million, nearly $2 million went to four districts: Philadelphia City, Reading, and Scranton received $500,000 each; Upper Darby received just under $500,000.

New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent John Pallone said his district was disappointed to receive only $7,150, when it had asked for $115,000.

“Any additional financial support from the state is always welcomed and the district will graciously accept the grant without reservation,” Pallone said in a statement.

Pallone said his district wanted to use the grant to specifically help the economically disadvantaged, which make up about 67% of its population, and special education students, about 25% of the district population.

“The district must review the budget as originally submitted and scale back our plan to meet the limits of the grant award,” he said. “The district has not determined how it will accomplish the scale back since the grant award is slightly less than 7% of what we requested; however, be assured that the district will make the highest and best use of the funds to benefit our students.”

Other district’s in the Pittsburgh region receiving grants:

• Aliquippa: $46,200

• Apollo-Ridge: $24,500

• Armstrong: $30,950

• Big Beaver Falls: $94,750

• Brentwood Borough: $61,745

• Duquesne City: $8,900

• East Allegheny: $74,950

• Midland Borough: $22,000

• Monessen City: $38,200

• New Brighton Area: $76,650

• New Castle Area: $132,850

• Northgate: $9,538

• Rochester Area: $5,000

• South Allegheny: $8,350

• Southeastern Greene: $37,524

• Steel Valley: $75,900

• Wilkinsburg Borough: $29,950

Schools and districts had to apply for the grants between April 6 and 10. The grants were a one-time award, Levis said.

“But the department remains committed to supporting the commonwealth’s most vulnerable students and will continue to seek other opportunities to provide assistance to local education agencies and schools,” he said.