7061-0027 One-Time COVID -19 Response Remote Learning and Student Sup
For one-time grants to public schools and districts in the commonwealth for the cost of reimbursing the added costs of summer school and other summer programming intended to remedy and reverse pandemic- and lockdown-related learning loss; provided, that priority in awarding said grants shall be given to applications focusing on addressing the mental health issues facing students returning to in-person learning after remote or hybrid learning, on efforts to improve student socialization skills weakened by the isolation required by the public health emergency, and on ensuring access during said summer programming to social services, mental health, and behavioral health resources to address the potential trauma and other effects of the pandemic on students; provided further, that the department shall issue a preliminary report on the program's implementation, including a detailed breakdown of grantees, the amounts awarded each grantee, and which activities each grantee sought and received reimbursement for in their applications; provided further, that not later than September 30, 2021, said preliminary report shall be provided to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that a final report, indicating the results of said spending in the classroom, and their effects on student mental and behavioral health, using performance metrics to be determined by the department, shall be provided not later than February 15, 2022 to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, assistance funded by this item shall only be available on a one-time non-recurring basis; provided further, that no funds distributed from this item to a municipality or regional school district shall be considered base aid in fiscal year 2023; provided further, that expenditures from this line item may be made to reimburse public schools and districts for expenses or obligations incurred in April, May, June, July, August, and September 2021 for 2021 summer school-related costs and programs; and provided further, that any funds distributed from this item to a city, town or regional school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without further appropriation, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary