Over $8.6 Million In COVID-19 Aid Heads To Skokie Public Schools

SKOKIE, IL — The 10 school districts in Niles Township are due to receive more than $8.6 million in grants through the U.S. Department of Education as a result of the federal coronavirus relief package Congress approved last month, according to state education officials.

The $900 billion Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act provides about $2.25 billion for public school districts in Illinois, more than four times the amount they received from initial round of federal aid to schools, according to Carmen Ayala, the state’s superintendent of education.

District 219 has been allocated nearly $2.3 million, according to estimates provided earlier this month. Here's how the funding breaks down for its nine feeder districts:

Golf Elementary School District 67: $202,860
Skokie School District 68: $1,490,097
Skokie School District 69 69: $1,740,585
Morton Grove School District 70: $325,249
Niles Elementary School District 71: $470,357
Fairview School District 72: $445,032
East Prairie School District 73: $265,297
Skokie School District 73.5: $616,710
Lincolnwood School District 74: $767,791

In Skokie, Niles and Morton Grove, elementary and middle schools districts have offered some form of on-campus learning, while Niles North and Niles West high schools have been closed to in-person instruction since March 2020. Private schools have remained open.

Private school districts are set for about $63 per student from a state set-aside, and there would be a further set-aside for non-public schools in a forthcoming round of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, according to Ayala.

The state superintendent recommended Illinois' school administrators put the money toward reducing the digital divide, supplemental learning opportunities and addressing students mental health needs.

"The pandemic continues to take a toll on our students’ mental well-being. I encourage you to invest in greater access to supports and resources for students’ social-emotional health," Ayala told school told school administrators this month.

"To mitigate learning loss, consider a longer school year, before/after-school programs, and summer learning opportunities," Ayala said.

"Begin planning now to reimagine the school calendar and expand the school day to ensure students receive every opportunity to grow."

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