AUGUSTA — Several schools and school districts around the state have seemingly returned some of the COVID-19 aid provided to them through the Maine Department of Education while several other schools and school districts received additional aid thanks to a reallocation of the funds. 

At the end of November, PenBayPilot.com reported that 34 Midcoast schools and school districts receiving funds combined for a total of $23,360,144.66 of educational aid flowing into Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties.  

Three area educational entities originally appeared in the awardees list and no longer appear on the list, indicating their award amounts were returned: Damariscotta Montessori ($5,153.00), Jefferson ($486,919.42) and Riley School ($527.16). 

Additionally, Nobleboro previously was noted as receiving two awards: a round one award for $168,001.97 and a round two award for $177,949.03. The latter award no longer appears in the list of monies allocated. 

Seven area educational entities received reallocated funding distributed after funds were returned by other educational entities. 

Edgecomb received $137,217.42 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $132,977.40 received in round one and $140,861.55 received in round two for a newly updated total of $411,056.37.

Monhegan received $6,243.37 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $6,610.91 received in round two of funding for a newly updated total of $12,854.28. 

MSAD 40 received $483,186.00 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $1,615,465.22 received in round one, $1,697,448.42 received in round two, $2,995.99 received for adult education and $51,800 received for day programming for a newly updated total of $3,850,895.63. 

RSU 12 received $125,000 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $834,625.89 received in round one, $877,223.97 received in round two and $413.24 received for adult education for a newly updated total of $1,837,263.10. 

RSU 53 received $25,000 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $557,002.36 received in round one and $585,183.72 received in round two for a newly updated total of $1,167,186.08. 

Watershed received $1,510.33 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $1,581.47 received in round two for a newly updated total of $3,091.80. 

Wayfinder received $3,500 in reallocated funds, in addition to the $12,219.07 received in round one and $12,918.60 received in round two for a newly updated total of $28,637.68. 

The Maine Department of Education’s Safe Return to Instruction financial aid program was created to assist Maine schools in providing safe and healthy returns to in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Eligible schools and school districts were required to develop three different instructional plans (remote, hybrid, and in-person) in order to be appropriately prepared for the uncertain trajectory of COVID-19.

Educational entities are facing unprecedented, and thus unbudgeted, expenses and logistical hurdles, a DOE memo stated. 

As such, funds awarded to educational can cover expenses such as:

• Transportation and facilities modifications to allow for social distancing and adhere to health and safety guidelines

• Increased need for cleaning supplies

• Additional instructional space and handwashing stations

• Contracted services to cover additional custodial needs, tutoring, intervention services, grant administration, medical staffing

• Increased need for substitutes, technology, connectivity, assessments of student learning, COVID-19 communication, student resources, and signage

• Professional development for educators and staff who must become fluent in hybrid and remote learning models in order to accommodate all students

These monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, “have provided immediate and critical funding for time sensitive procurement of specific resources that allowed eligible entities to plan and implement thoughtful strategies and supports to ensure a safe and timely reopening of Maine schools,” according to a letter from the Maine Department of Education.

Funds provided to each educational entity must be used as necessary expenditures were incurred due to COVID–19; not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27; and were incurred between March 1 and December 30. 

To support both efficiency and equity, the Department of Education, according to the letter, developed a funding distribution formula based on student counts and adjusted for a variety of factors (like special education, English Language Learner, and homeless student counts, small/rural school adjustment, etc.).

Educational entities could also receive funding for its adult education program and day programming for school age children.

For the latter, districts or schools used day program funds to either establish their own programs or partner with local community organizations, such as a local YMCA, Boys and Girls Club or Parks and Recreation Department, to provide care for area students.