Fitzpatrick Urges Department of Education to Provide Relief for Local School Districts

Statement

Today, April 30th, 2020, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) sent a letter to United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging that school districts be granted the flexibility to utilize the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant funding to help fill budget gaps in school district budgets.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress allocated $13.2 billion to the Education Stabilization Fund for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to alleviate the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that funding has not yet reached the local school districts and will not be enough to prevent budgetary cuts.

In Bucks County, the Morrisville School Board is considering taking extreme steps to make up a $1.4 million gap in the district's annual budget. More is needed to help districts like Morrisville preserve fiscal solvency while providing students with the quality education they deserve.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, and our community needs help. The funding appropriated by Congress is simply not enough to help districts like Morrisville stay afloat. We need to give school districts maximum flexibility to access much needed funds, to help them stay on track to best support their students, faculty, and staff." said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "I have been working with the Governor's office over the last few weeks and have learned that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has made similar requests to Secretary DeVos asking for guidance but the Department has yet to respond. School districts cannot wait any longer. The US Department of Education must act now to ensure that our school districts can provide the best quality of education during these turbulent times and to protect the jobs of our educators."

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fitzpatrick has participated in multiple conference calls with all school district superintendents across the First District.

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