NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) –A federal grant totaling $1,953,048.13, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act K-12 Stabilization Fund, is coming to the Campbell County School District.  Campbell County Director of Schools Jennifer Fields said, “The school system is expected to receive the money by mid-June and hopefully use it to purchase technology for teachers and students in the event we have another school closure.”“The Campbell County School District is grateful for the federal education funding we are receiving through the CARES Act.  As with any federal funding, there are fiscal regulations that we must follow and budget guidelines that apply to implementation of these funds,” said the director.  According to the CARES Act, allowable uses of the funds include but are not limited to: planning for long-term closures, addressing special needs of unique populations and purchasing education technology.

Fields said, “We will know more specifically how the money can be used once we receive the specific guidelines and federal regulations. We will be forming a planning committee to discuss the most efficient way to use the funds available to us to best meet the needs of our students.”  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/12/2020-6AM)

Release from May 8, 2020

State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced today that Campbell County, Dayton City Elementary, Fentress County,  Morgan County, Oneida Special, Pickett County, Rhea County, Roane County, Scott County and the York Institute school districts will receive a total of $7,628,630 in federal grants, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act K-12 Stabilization Fund.

The US Department of Education has provided guidance for these funds to be used to support distance learning, including broadband and other accessibility needs, that may identified as a need by districts. It will be part of the district application allowable uses when the district application is released later this month.

“During this time of social distancing and remote learning, it can be difficult for students, teachers and parents to ensure students can continue their education without falling behind,” said Senator Yager. “These funds will help provide additional flexibility to schools so that learning will continue and teachers will have sufficient resources as they transition to virtual classrooms.”

SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANT AMOUNT AWARDED
Campbell County $1,953,048.13
Dayton City Elementary $256,588.01
Fentress County $736,879.11
Morgan County $722,846.81
Oneida Special $239,345.89
Pickett County $149,424.50
Rhea County $1,028,198.70
Roane County $1,395,189.85
Scott County $986,929.29
York Institute $160,180.21

The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, now allows states and school districts to devote more of their federal resources to technology infrastructure to support distance learning for students and for professional development for teachers who are teaching remotely, many for the first time. Ninety percent of the CARES Act K-12 Education Stabilization Fund is passed on to districts. By providing a streamlined process to obtain funding flexibilities, states will be able to quickly make decisions to meet the needs of their students.

“I’m very pleased these funds will be available to the school districts and I will continue to support their efforts to facilitate distance learning across the district,” added Yager.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/12/2020-6AM)