North Carolina Republicans in the House and Senate want to use federal COVID-19 funding to help families who are home because schools are closed. | Adobe Stock
North Carolina Republicans in the House and Senate want to use federal COVID-19 funding to help families who are home because schools are closed. | Adobe Stock
North Carolina Republican lawmakers hope to issue stimulus payments, broaden the school of choice guidelines, and more as they discussed how to spend federal COVID-19 assistance funds, EducationNC reported.
"With schools closed, parents are facing many unexpected financial burdens," Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Duplin) said at a press conference, EducationNC reported on Sept. 1. "This assistance is meant to alleviate some of that burden and show that we care."
Some of the top priorities to use COVID-19 funds include $325 checks for families who have children, expand funding programs that assist students who can't afford to attend private schools, and not hold districts responsible for reducing the average daily membership for the 2020-2021 school year. Families of four making $72,000 could qualify for the possible upcoming scholarships.
"We will be increasing an option for families to choose an education that best meets and fits the need for their kids," Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) said, EducationNC reported.
The initial step is for the House and Senate to cast their vote on a COVID-19 assistance bill for $440 million.
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