NC schools could get at least $389 million in federal coronavirus disaster relief
North Carolina’s public schools could get at least $389 million from the federal government to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The $2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes money that can be used to help K-12 schools deal with challenges such as feeding and educating students while schools are closed. North Carolina education leaders said Thursday that the state’s share of the money is welcomed but likely less than what the needs will be.
“I want us to begin to think about just how drastic and how creative and how innovative we’re going to have to be to close some of the opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by this tragedy,” said State Board of Education member James Ford.
North Carolina public schools have moved to remote learning because they’re closed through at least May 15 to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
State board, superintendent feud
Amid the discussion Thursday, State Superintendent Mark Johnson and the state board resumed its ongoing feud. Johnson is a Republican and the board has a Democratic majority although they quarreled when it had a GOP majority too.
Johnson was elected in 2016 but his term is ending this year after he unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.
Johnson questioned not being notified ahead of time that the state board asked Wednesday for $250 million in disaster relief from the Office of State Budget Management. The request includes $80 million for feeding students; $50 million for more social workers, psychologists, nurses, and counselors for low-performing schools; $75 million for a summer school program and $50 million for digital resources.
Johnson said the request didn’t include money for special-education students. He asked when it would be discussed publicly.
“There’s now a lot of confusion around the department on who is calling the shots (and) what the state board is actually requesting from the state budget office and the General Assembly,” Johnson said.
State board chairman Eric Davis said the board’s budget request would be discussed at a future meeting.
“That particular item the superintendent is bringing up is not on our agenda today,” Davis said.
Several state board members said Thursday they weren’t aware ahead of time about the $250 million budget request. Johnson accused Davis of not being transparent, a charge that board members have made against the superintendent as well.
“I just would encourage the state board leadership and the state board office to act with transparency and to involve the state board in these decisions,” Johnson said.
NC schools to get stimulus money
To help schools, the CARES Act provides $13.2 billion in grants for K-12 schools and $2.95 billion that governors can use for emergency education relief.
The state Department of Public Instruction projects North Carolina could get $388.9 million in grants. In addition, Gov. Roy Cooper is getting $94 million in federal dollars to use for education relief.
The projected amount for individual school districts and charter schools are based on their enrollment and how many economically disadvantaged students they have.
DPI projects the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system could get between $32.9 million and $36.1 million, the most of any district. This comes after CMS school leaders complained about being the only district in the state cut out of a part of the $50 million in state COVID-19 funding, the Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The Wake County school system could get $24 million to $26.4 million, the second-highest in the state. Wake has more students than CMS but fewer of them are low income.
Other projected aid amounts include:
▪ Durham Public Schools: $11.6 million to $12.8 million.
▪ Gaston County schools: $7.7 million to $8.5 million.
▪ Johnston County schools: $7.3 million to $8 million.
▪ Union County Public Schools: $4.7 million to $5.1 million.
▪ Cabarrus County schools: $3.4 million to $3.7 million
▪ Orange County schools: $923,038 to $1 million
▪ Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools: $846,435 to $931,079
The schools can use the money for things such as activities for special-needs students, buying education technology for students, providing mental health services and support and planning summer learning and after-school programs.
The state board will approve a policy for distributing the money at a future meeting.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 2:26 PM.
