OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt and State School Superintendent Joy Hofmeister want to give eligible Oklahoma school districts an opportunity to apply for $16 million in emergency relief funds through the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Incentive grant funds were made available through $8 million from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) set-aside amount from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and $8 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) discretionary funds.
Under the CARES Act, the OSDE funds must meet “emergency needs” of districts in response to COVID-19, while GEER funds must be expended to schools “most significantly impacted by coronavirus.”
Use of GEER funds to provide additional connectivity for schools is critical, according to the Governor.
In order to apply, districts must have opted in on their ESSER formula funds application and commit to spending at least 30% of those funds in at least two of five priority areas: expanding connectivity; support for distance learning; mental health support; special service to students displaced by school closings; and more reading training for teachers.
Grants will be awarded in amounts based on student enrollment on Oct. 1, 2019:
- Up to 500 students: Eligible for up to $50,000
- 501 to 1,000 students: Eligible for up to $100,000
- 1,001 to 2,500 students: Eligible for up to $200,000
- 2,501 to 7,499 students: Eligible for up to $300,000
- + students: Eligible for up to $500,000