Raleigh, N.C. – Lenoir County Public Schools are eligible for up to $14,300,390 of assistance.

The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1.6 billion in funding for NC Public schools as part of the Covid relief efforts.  Last week, the State announced the projected LEA allotments. Local school systems must apply for grants from earmarked funds from the Emergency Needs for Elementary and Secondary Schools of the State (ESSER II Funds). 

Senator Perry, the Senate Majority Whip, stated “Learning loss has been devastating for our children. We share many areas of concern, but I tend to focus on learning to read in those early years. It makes a huge difference in their lives. Our LCPS faculty, staff and administration will put these resources to good use.”

Representative Chris Humphrey offered, “I am really concerned for our children because they struggle the most. We need to do everything possible to help them recover and advance academically and with regards to their mental health.”

Some authorized use of funding includes: 

School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards.

Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software and connectivity) for students to aid in regular and substantive interaction between students and their classroom instructors (including low-income and disabled students), which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment.

Training and professional development for staff pertaining to sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases.

Purchasing sanitation and cleaning supplies of school facilities.

Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.

Develop and implementing procedures and systems to improve preparedness and response efforts.

Providing mental health services and supports.Planning and implementing summer learning and supplemental after school program activities, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months.

Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and non-mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement.