Buffalo Public Schools to Receive More Than $200 Million in COVID-19 Funds
Schools in Buffalo and the surrounding areas are in for a financial boost from the federal government to help combat some of the negative effects that COVID-19 has had on students.
According to reporting by WKBW, is reporting on an announcement by Representative Brian Higgins that more than $400 million in Federal COVID-19 relief funds are coming to schools in Western New York.
As part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan, more than $130 Billion is being made available to elementary and high schools across the country.
Every school district in Erie and Niagara counties stands to receive some assistance funds. According to current estimates, the Buffalo Public School system stands to receive $245,107,000.00.
Schools have taken extraordinary measures to meet the challenges of keeping children safe and learning during the pandemic... This has been a difficult time for districts, teachers, staff and families. Federal resources are urgently needed at the school district level directly and specifically to keep students from falling behind.
-Brian Higgins, Representative to Congress for NY-26
This is an estimate due to the fact that as the current plan is debated in Congress, something may change. Congress has a set of hearings that are scheduled to begin on February 22nd. A lot of the additional details surrounding this plan will be discussed and debated at those hearings.
You can get a full list of the schools listed and the estimated amounts they may receive here.