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Wisconsin invests $110M in COVID relief funds for schools, students
Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday, Dec. 2 a $110 million investment in Wisconsin kids and schools.
MILWAUKEE - Governor Tony Evers stopped in Milwaukee Thursday, Dec. 2, where he announced a $110 million investment in Wisconsin kids and schools.
It's been a rough road for schools across the state as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact education.
"We are in the middle of a pandemic that brings with it additional costs on top of our regular operating expenses," said Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly.
Governor Evers spoke at North Division High School Thursday. He announced $110 million in new funding for public schools for support with the effects of the pandemic. Roughly $9.6 million of that will go to Milwaukee Public Schools.
"This $9.6 million will be used to support kids both in and out of the classroom, allowing schools the flexibility to hire educators and staff, keeping the lights on, providing additional educational or mental health support, buy art supplies or computers, whatever kids need the most," said Evers.
The governor directed the new funding to help address a lack of investments in education during the budget process. The one-time funds, available from COVID-19 federal relief funds, will help students get the services and resources to rebound and recover.
MPS Superintendent Keith Posley says it will help with additional programming, educators and staff and mental help support.
"That will get us through the next couple years," said Underly. "It’s not nearly enough to meet all the needs of our school districts, but it’s a BAND-AID that they use in the most flexible way possible."
Every Wisconsin school district will receive funding from Thursday's announcement. It averages to about $130 per student.
Students at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
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A full list of investments by school district is available here.
Reaction
State Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh)
"Earlier this year, at a time when Wisconsin had record revenues available and faced unprecedented needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative Republicans chose to put political games before the future of our kids by doing the bare minimum on education funding in the biennial budget. Fortunately, Gov. Evers put millions of dollars back into the state’s general fund through his strategic partial vetoes. Today, Gov. Evers has announced a $110 million investment in new education funding to support Wisconsin’s kids and schools as they continue to recover from the pandemic.
"I am grateful that Governor Evers continues to find ways to provide funding to schools and prioritize our kids. We know this $110 million investment will help our school districts to avoid having to choose between laying off teachers and cutting programs or going to referendum as they come out of the pandemic. There is no more important investment than the future of our kids. Here in the 54th Assembly District, I am confident Oshkosh Area School District’s local leaders will invest the additional $1.26 million allocation very wisely as they focus on meeting the unique needs of our local schools and our kids’ education."
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