Massachusetts Schools to Access $106 Million in COVID-19 Relief Money

BOSTON, Massachusetts — Schools across Massachusetts will regain access to more than $100 million in unspent COVID-19 relief funds after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction this week. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell with support from 16 other state officials.

The court’s decision allows Massachusetts school districts to access $106 million that had previously been withheld by the Trump administration. Notably, New Bedford and Springfield schools are set to receive the majority of these funds.

The unspent money originates from the ESSER funds (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) allocated as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $1.8 billion to schools in Massachusetts. A stipulation of the funding dictates that 20 percent be dedicated to academic recovery efforts.

The funds can be used for various one-time expenses like building upgrades, HVAC systems, and school buses, as well as temporary tutoring programs and teacher training initiatives aimed at addressing learning loss during the pandemic.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s earlier instructions indicated that any extensions for using the funds, initially granted by the Biden administration, would be reconsidered. Many districts expressed concerns about the consequences of the funding deadlines.

While the primary spending deadline was September 30, several districts pledged funds for contractor services, suggesting that unspent funds could still be obligated despite the previous funding termination.

The court’s injunction is not a final decision; it temporarily blocks the government from enforcing the termination while the lawsuit unfolds. Judge Edgardo Ramos‘s ruling mandates that states receive a 14-day notice prior to any funding decision changes.

Campbell emphasized the necessity of federal funding for schools serving vulnerable populations: “As we work to recover from learning loss and financial hardship caused by the pandemic, our schools rely on federal funding to serve their most vulnerable students,” she stated.

However, New Bedford Superintendent Andrew O’Leary cautioned that the fight over the funds is not over. He noted that losing the case could still result in the Education Department taking back funds in the future if procedural requirements are met. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” O’Leary added.

With the funds restored, districts can move forward with planned capital improvement projects, which include vital upgrades to educational infrastructure. O’Leary remarked, “These projects are going to get completed, and we are going to push hard to hold the Department of Education and the secretary to account.”