Here s How Some Cash-Strapped Indiana Schools Will Spend Federal COVID Funds to Upgrade Buildings
(Lauren Chapman/IPB News)
Nearly $2.6 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds is headed to Indiana public schools. In rural districts where income from property taxes is low, some of that money will pay for long-delayed building maintenance.
In one school system, the superintendent hopes to replace flooring that’s more than three decades old. In another, leaders are considering building an addition to make space for social distancing. Many districts will overhaul heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to improve air quality.
The temporary influx of funding, which districts have more than three years to spend, was part of aid packages Congress passed in December 2020 and March 2021. Known as ESSER II and III, federal guidance requires schools to use some of the funding to address learning loss. District leaders say the bulk of the money will likely be used to help stu