Farmington School System Gets $1 million-Plus In Fed Virus Relief

FARMINGTON, CT — The Farmington school system is getting a share of $492.43 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds for Connecticut.

The federal funds, which are part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, must be used to "reduce educational disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic," a state lawmaker — state Sen. Rick Lopes (D-New Britain) — said.

Local funding includes $1,019,624 for the Farmington education system.

Said, Lopes, who represents part of Farmington, "The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted students across Connecticut, especially those who are facing housing insecurity or have limited internet access. These relief funds will provide students with needed support and give schools resources to close gaps in educational opportunity the pandemic has widened. Thank you to the Connecticut federal delegation for securing this funding and advocacy for the needs of our state’s future leaders and innovators."

Approved uses of the federal funds include coordinating improved COVID-19 response, prevention and preparation efforts; addressing learning loss among students, including groups seen to experience increased learning loss such as low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care; addressing individual schools' needs; improving sanitation on school campuses; and improving indoor air quality in schools while reducing risk of environmental health hazards, among others.