Delco Public Schools Getting $20M In Help Amid Coronavirus

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A large sum of money was approved to support Delaware County schools during the coronavirus pandemic recently.

At its Sept. 2, the Delaware County Council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) to provide $20,000,000 in assistance to the DCIU and Delco public school districts to address coronavirus-related expenses using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.

Funding can be used for (but is not limited to) providing internet connections and related equipment to students in qualifying low-income families, additional sanitation, and procurement of personal protective equipment.

Eligibility for internet connectivity services will be determined using parameters for housing assistance, free and reduced lunches, and/or other applicable programs, as determined by the County Executive Director.

The DCIU will assist in distributing the money to school districts. Its role is to distribute according to the existing Title I formula to public school districts, who will spend it within parameters set by COVID-19 CARES Act funding, with a priority, per council on addressing the digital divide.

The Title I formula is set out in Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) and is designed to provide financial assistance to school districts with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families where resources for distance learning are less likely to be in place.

The amount will vary per district.