GOV. KAY IVEY GRANTS $170 MILLION TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT REMOTE LEARNING AND HEALTH CARE
By WVUA 23 Contributor Daniel Pinheiro
Gov. Kay Ivey lent $70 million in support of the Alabama State Department of Education’s Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and lent $100 million to prop up the Educational Remote Learning Services Grant Program.
“COVID-19 greatly impacted delivery of instruction within our public schools and, in many cases, exposed our weakest areas of remote learning capabilities,” Gov. Ivey said. “I appreciate Dr. Mackey’s plan that will provide our students the ability to continue learning despite the unprecedented circumstances. These funds will allow local schools to be flexible to meet the unique needs of their students while keeping them as safe as possible.”
The Education Health and Wellness Grant Program will forward Gov. Ivey’s donation toward local education agencies specifically to limit the spread of COVID-19 in public schools.
“I appreciate Governor Ivey’s continued commitment to education in Alabama,” Dr. Eric Mackey said. “The health and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff is a vital part of being able to deliver high-quality instruction to our students and this has been a key priority of the State Board of Education. The weighted distribution ensures that funds flow to our most vulnerable students which is critical during the pandemic.”
The Education Remote Learning Devices Grant Program plans to use Gov. Ivey’s donation to buy electronics, software, and related training and maintenance services for remote learning.
“The governor and I are mutually committed to ensuring Alabama’s students have the necessary tools to access a quality education,” Sen. Del Marsh, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, said. “I appreciate Governor Ivey’s work with the State Board of Education, the superintendent and others to implement a program through which local school systems can utilize CARES Act funding to meet students’ technology needs for the upcoming school year.”
Local education agencies will receive certain funds depending on student enrollment, poverty levels, English students, special education students, student proficiency levels, and COVID-19’s impact.
In addition to these funds, local education agencies will also get at least $70,000 from the Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and at least $100,000 from the Education Remote Learning Devices Grant Program.
