Erie County Schools to Receive More than $115 Million in Federal Pandemic Relief

Erie County schools are projected to receive more than $115 million as part of $4.9 billion in federal pandemic relief announced Monday by Gov. Tom Wolf. 

This funding, along with the nearly completed single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations for all state educators and school staff, will help students and teachers safely return to classrooms across the state, according to Gov. Wolf. 

Of the $115,074,006 earmarked for Erie County schools, more than $60.7 million will go to Erie City School District. 

The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER III) Fund, passed by Congress and President Biden.

“All schools have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I commend school communities for rising to the challenge to combat the toll it has taken,” said Gov. Wolf. “This extra funding is critical to help schools meet the unique needs of educating students at this time while keeping school buildings safe when students return to the classroom.”

90 percent of the funding, or about $4.5 billion, will go toward traditional public school districts and charter schools. 

Each district will receive an amount proportional to the federal Title 1-A funds received in 2020 under the Every Student Succeeds Act, according to Gov. Wolf. Districts and charter schools are required to use at least 20 percent of the money to address learning loss and the social, emotional and academic needs of underrepresented students, including students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness and children in foster care. 

Leftover funding can be used for a wide array of activities such as food service, professional training, technology purchases, sanitization and cleaning supplies, summer and after-school programs and mental health supports. 

Funds must be used by September 2024. 

A full list of projected funding amounts for schools statewide is available here.