Florida is only state not to submit school Covid-19 relief funding plan, US Education Department says

CNN — Florida is the only state that has not yet submitted a plan to the US Department of Education for how it will use federal Covid-19 relief funds for schools, according to a new letter from the agency – the latest in a series of escalating stances against the Biden administration. The Florida Education Department’s “failure to meet its responsibilities is delaying the release of essential ARP ESSER resources that are needed by school districts and schools to address the needs of students most impacted by the pandemic,” Rosenblum noted in the letter. In an effort to help states reopen schools safely during the pandemic, the Biden administration earlier this year announced the allocation of more than $122 billion in Covid relief for pre-K to 12 schools, with two-thirds of those funds – totaling $81 billion – “made available to states immediately.” The remaining federal dollars are contingent on the approval of a state plan detailing how the funds will be used, the US Education Department said. Whenever this may change in the future, the state of Florida will coordinate with USDOE to ensure Florida students and educators have all the resources they need.” Monday’s letter also noted that Florida’s Education Department has drawn down some of the American Rescue Plan funds at the state level but has not yet awarded funds to local agencies. Rosenblum pledged in the letter that the US Education Department “remains ready to provide any support” that Florida officials may need to advance a state plan.