Kosierowski: Area school districts to receive over $21 million in federal funding to support in-person learning

HARRISBURG, March 30 – School districts in the 114th Legislative District are expected to receive federal funding totaling $21.22 million to help return to the classroom, state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today.

“The past year fighting the COVID-19 pandemic has left school district budgets drained, pushed virtual learning to the limit for teachers and students and created a wide-array of new challenges to education,” Kosierowski said. “With this funding, schools will be able to address students’ learning gaps and ensure programs and resources are in place for students and faculty to safely return to the classrooms.”  

Kosierowski said the breakdown of the federal funding for schools in the 114th District is as follows:

  • Abington Heights School District - $2.34 million.

  • Carbondale Area School District - $5.81 million.

  • Forest City Regional School District - $1.65 million.

  • Lakeland School District - $1.76 million.

  • Mid Valley School District - $4.08 million.

  • Old Forge School District - $1.89 million.

  • Riverside School District - $3.69 million.

The funding is part of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. The money can be used for food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; mental health supports and more.

At least 20% of this money is meant to address learning loss and the social, emotional, and academic needs of underrepresented students, including students from low-income families, students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and more.

School districts and charter schools must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to receive their share of the money set aside. The application process will be posted on the PDE website. Funds must be used by September 2024.