East Hartford will get $45.5M in COVID aid
EAST HARTFORD (Journal Inquirer) — The town will receive $45.5 million in federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Of the $45.5 million, $21 million will go to the town’s school district, with the remaining $24.5 million allotted to the municipal government.
Rep. John B. Larson, D-East Hartford, visited East Hartford High School Friday morning to announce the funding.
Mayor Mike Walsh said Friday afternoon that the town has received half of the funds thus far, and spending has begun.
Walsh added that East Hartford expects to receive all of the funding, but that planned spending has been budgeted to avoid any windfalls in the event that it does not.
Superintendent Nathan Quesnel said Friday afternoon that the school district’s ARPA funding plans were approved in the Board of Education’s 2022-23 fiscal year budget.
Allocations include $7 million for building health and safety enhancements, including ventilation improvements; $6.1 million for addressing learning loss and enriching students; and allocations for technology and mental health support, among others.
“What I’m really proud of is that East Hartford Public Schools has spent a lot of time thinking of how to spend this money in a way that, 10 years down the line, will impact us,” Quesnel said.
Larson said in a prepared statement that the funds have allowed schools to catch up from time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide new opportunities for students.
“Relief funding has supported a laptop or tablet for every student in the district, enrichment programming and support specialists to offer at-home and summer learning opportunities, as well as crucial money needed to modernize school infrastructure,” Larson said.
Walsh said he gives his thanks to the entire state delegation, with special thanks to East Hartford representatives, for securing the town’s ARPA funding.
“That’s game-changing money that will allow the town to really stimulate business, so that we can grow jobs, grow the grand list, and — post-COVID — have an opportunity to remake East Hartford,” Walsh said.
Line items for municipal government ARPA spending, as approved by Town Council in February, include $5 million for town hall renovations, $4.5 million for investment into local development, and $3.5 million for renovation of Wickham Library.