02.25.22

Scott Commemorates National Public Schools Week

In the American Recue Plan, Chairman Scott Helped Secure over $2.1 billion for Virginia K-12 Schools to Stay Open Safely and Make Up for Lost Learning Time

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, recognized National Public Schools Week which runs from February 21st – 25th. In the American Recue Plan, Chairman Scott helped secure $ 2.1 billion for Virginia K-12 schools to stay open safely and make up for lost learning time. Nationwide, the American Rescue Plan provided $130 billion for schools to stay open, and an additional $10 billion to help schools conduct COVID-19 testing for students and staff. 

“All students should have access to safe, welcoming, and well-funded public schools,” said Congressman Scott. “Thanks to the historic investment from the American Rescue Plan, our K-12 schools are better equipped to safely stay open while navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic.”

Even before the pandemic, many schools had outdated ventilation systems that put students and educators at risk. Now, thanks to funding from ARP, school districts have the funding needed to repair or replace ventilation in their schools and reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

More resources on how schools can use ARP funding to improve their HVAC systems:

·   Department of Education: Improving Ventilation in Schools, Colleges, and Universities to Prevent COVID-19

·   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs - How to use CDC recommendations in your setting

·   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools

In addition to the American Rescue Plan, Congress made significant investments in emergency education funding in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021.

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