State Rep. Graham Filler today called on the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to release funding allocated by the Legislature to help local schools cope with challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Filler, of DeWitt, said the Legislature approved a measure in June 2021 that made the distribution of federal COVID relief more equal for Michigan schools, ensuring every school gets at least $1,093 per student in additional relief funding. The MDE still has not yet provided local schools with the application needed to apply for the funds. The delay prompted a committee hearing this week in the House.

“All of our schools faced incredible challenges during the pandemic, and we want to make sure every Michigan student has an opportunity to learn and grow,” Filler said. “We allocated this money to help address problems created by the pandemic. It’s time to get it into our local schools so they can utilize it.”

Under the plan approved by the Legislature, local school districts would be eligible for the following estimated allocations:

• DeWitt Public Schools, $3,131,588
• St. Johns Public Schools, $994,050
• Bath Community Schools, $579,709
• Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools, $313,093
• Fowler Public Schools, $289,578
• Laingsburg Community Schools, $692,166
• Ovid-Elsie Area Schools, $95,256

Michigan is one of just seven states without an approved plan to distribute the third round of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding.

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