COVID relief deal includes billions for schools to improve ventilation, address learning loss during the pandemic
Updated Dec 22, 2020;
The $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus deal approved by Congress includes billions for elementary and secondary schools, including dollars to help with improving ventilation and air quality during the pandemic.
A total of $54.3 billion has been secured for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. This will send formula funding to states and school districts so they can respond to the coronavirus crisis.
Those dollars can be used for school facilities repairs and improvements, like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems projects to improve indoor air quality, as well as 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.