Public schools and universities are asking for more funding to handle COVID-19 concerns. | Stock Photo
Public schools and universities are asking for more funding to handle COVID-19 concerns. | Stock Photo
Public schools and universities want legislators to provide more COVID-19 funding as the learning institutions are facing challenges for the 2020-21 school year.
Currently, North Carolina has between $552.4 million and $903.9 million in federal CARES Act funding, which could be used on education, the Carolina Journal reported on Aug. 26. More federal funds could be going to the state, but Congress has yet to agree on anything.
Rep. John Fraley (R-Iredell) said the General Assembly will be meeting to discuss available spending and where it will go, the publication reported.
The majority of public schools in the state are beginning the academic year with remote learning, but Eric Davis, the State Board of Education chairman, told lawmakers that schools still need more funding to handle coronavirus concerns and issues, the Carolina Journal reported.
Davis said the money would help pay for PPE, internet connectivity, transportation of meals and Wi-Fi hotspots, Carolina Journal reported.
Public universities and colleges are also asking for more funding from the state to pay for online learning, academic programs, cleaning materials and PPE, Elizabeth Grovenstein, vice president and chief financial officer for North Carolina Community College System, said, Carolina Journal reported.
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