(Des Moines) — School districts across the state may qualify to receive more than $70 million dollars from federal funding to assist with some of the unforeseen expenditures associated with the COVID-19 virus. Ann Lebo, the director of the Iowa Education Department, appeared with Governor Reynolds on
Tuesday, during the daily briefing, to update the situation.
Lebo says school districts have until a May 11th deadline to file an application for the funding. The Iowa Education Department director explains the breakdown of the federal funding.
Lebo says the federal funds can be used for on-line learning support, professional development, educational technology, mental health services, and services to support students with disabilities. Lebo says the application for funds will have a quick turn-a-round with funds available to the schools
as early as next week.
The state education department director offers a timeline that schools must follow for the allocation of the funds.
Lebo took the opportunity to thank the state’s school teachers, saying that this is National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Steve Webner, the school superintendent for Le Mars Community Schools says Le Mars Community will receive $157,851. Public schools are responsible for also allocating funds to private schools. Webner says the federal government is not using Title I funding, but they are using the Title I formula to determine the funding level. Webner say Gehlen Catholic Elementary School will receive $17,926 and Gehlen Catholic Secondary School will receive $15,825. The total amount to Le Mars schools will be $191,602.
