ATTICA, N.Y. (WBEN) – There is hope that billions in federal funds will be appropriated to help schools once they reopen.
Schools in New York State are creating a reopening plan in hopes of beginning in-person instruction this September but must grapple with the reality that they face up to a 20 percent reduction in state funds and will be spending thousands of dollars for masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, and other items that mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Among the issues that Senator Chuck Schumer is highlighting this morning in Attica is PPE at schools and better access to internet in more rural communities. pic.twitter.com/tpvoOduUjX
— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman) July 15, 2020At Attica Central Schools in Wyoming County, they believe they will need to buy 1,500 masks per day for their 1,200 students and 250 employees. For masks alone, that cost will be around $145,000.
Attica, specifically, would receive $2.1 million in the bill. Schools in Erie County would get hundreds of millions of dollars for its districts and surrounding counties. Wyoming County schools would receive $21 million. Genesee, Livingston, and Ontario counties would receive an additional $50 million.
Congress will reconvene next week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the next stimulus package will be largely focused on providing legal protections for organizations such as schools and businesses.
"This is not a partisan issue," Schumer said. "Leader McConnell has not said he'd be for this yet. My guess is that if he puts this on the floor, I guarantee it will pass."
