Murphy – Cherokee County Schools has been allotted $1,692,104 in COVID funding as of the end of September.
“The funding is extremely specific with the intended purposes of all monies being used in response to COVID-19,” said Stephanie Hass, chief financial officer for the local school system.
For example, the district was allotted $71,899 from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund in June for computers or other electronic devices for use by students in response to COVID-19. That funding could not be used or exchanged for a previously-budgeted purchase of computers or devices. The full amount was used to provide Chromebooks to students so remote learning challenges did not include the absence of a device.
A majority of the funding is coming from CARES Act funding, either through the Coronavirus Relief Fund or the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund. Funding covers technology, instruction, nutrition and health needs.
As with other state and federal funding, the district must use it or it will lose the funding. All funding allotted expires Dec. 30.
Other allotments to Cherokee County Schools:
- $157,919 allotted May 29 for school nutrition services provided in response to COVID-19.
- $20,254 allotted July 21 for contracted school health support personnel for physical and mental health support services for students.
- $12,938 allotted July 27 for improving internet connectivity by installing extended reach mobile wifi gateway router devices in school buses. This is for the cost of devices, and does not include subscription fees.
- $109,068 approved in September by the state for student health funding for additional physical and mental health support services for students.