Oakland County will provide $28 million to help schools recoup some of the unexpected costs of preparing schools for in-person or remote student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Oakland County news release.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve the allocation of funds from the county’s federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding at its Sept. 3 meeting. During a news conference at Novi Middle School, County Executive David Coulter announced the proposed funding to help schools that have had their budgets drained by unforeseen costs related to preparing schools to keep students, teachers and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Oakland County has been supporting all stakeholders during the pandemic -- small businesses, nonprofit organizations, our cities, villages and townships -- and with the school year starting, it is crucial we do all we can to help our schools provide a safe environment in-school or virtually, and ensure districts get the support they need,” Coulter said, according to the Oakland County website. “We want parents and students to have confidence their school experience will be safe.”
County Commissioner Gwen Markham of Novi, Dr. Steve Matthews, Novi Community School District superintendent; Dr. Amy Kruppe, Hazel Park Schools superintendent; Dr. Paul Salah, Huron Valley Schools superintendent; and Dr. Jamii Hitchcock, Oak Park Schools joined superintendent Coulter at the news conference.
“I’m proud the Board of Commissioners is standing up to support our schools in this unprecedented time,” Markham said, according to the Oakland County website. “With budgets being stretched due to this unforeseen pandemic, it is a priority to ensure our schools are safe and they have the resources they need to provide a positive learning environment, whether it is virtual or in the classroom.”
According to the plan, the county’s 28 school districts and charter schools would be eligible to apply for reimbursement for COVID-19-related expenses or anticipated expenses through the end of the year. Funds will be awarded based in part on need and the number of students, teachers and amount of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches. Districts and charter schools must document their costs with verifiable receipts to be eligible for reimbursement.
Awards will be capped, but the amount won’t be known until after requests are submitted.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement include: plexiglass dividers, personal protection equipment, creation of safety protocols, no-touch thermometers, disinfectant, signage, costs related to retrofitting classrooms and remote learning costs.
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