A more than $64 million American Rescue Act grant application got unanimous approval from the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education to help the system get back on its feet after substantial challenges it's faced during pandemic.
According to KRWG, 20% of the money will go to learning loss requirements as required by the New Mexico Public Education Department, and 80% will be directed to the district’s other needs, such as instructional resources and PPE.
“The funding for this will be used to help schools to return safely to in-person instruction, maximize in-person instructional time, sustain the safe operation of schools and address the academic, social, emotional and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on New Mexico students," LCPS Executive Director of Federal Programs Carla Ragan said.
In the breakdown, $5.3 million will go toward staff salaries and benefits, $4.8 million to non-instructional staff and the largest chunk, $13 million, will be used for instructional resources.
For educational staff, COVID-19 sick leave remains at 80 hours, like last year. The school district voluntarily extended the extra leave after the federal government enacted it, LCPS Chief Financial Officer Ed Ellison told KRWG.