“We are grateful to our partners at Springfield Township for their continued support of education in our community,” Kuhn said. “The CARES act donation will enhance our response to the COVID pandemic and our ability to keep our students, staff, families, and community healthy and safe.”
The funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was passed by congress in March. Ohio leaders cut K-12 schools’ state funding by $355 million in May and June due to the coronavirus. The CARES Act provided $489 million to Ohio’s K-12 schools, then another $100 million in July.
According to the release, the district will use the money to purchase:
- Floor Scrubbers and Kaivac Units to meet the cleaning and sanitizing needs associated with safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Floor Mat Cover System for the North Gymnasium at Shawnee High School to allow additional cafeteria space for increased social distancing during lunch
- 410 student computers to support remote/virtual learning
- 85 teacher devices to support remote instruction
“This particular CARES Act is… going to bring a lot of trust to families and lives,” said Trustee Jim Scoby. “This is a blessing, a blessing from God, and I believe this grant can be used to help our children in the future.”
Scoby noted that safety is a top priority for the township and also thanked the Township’s Fiscal Officer, Mark Smith, and Attorney, Andrew Pickering, for their work on the project.
“Thank you just doesn’t seem to be strong enough,” Board President Judy Pierce said.
The funds are known as “use it or lose it” monies, Kuhn said, which means it must be spent by a certain date or returned to the grantor. The district must use the donation by Dec. 30.
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