Rep. Robinson announces $300 million to help colleges, universities, and K-12 schools prepare for fall semester amid COVID-19

Additional funds approved to assist local, state response efforts, and support small business loan program; urges state legislature to reconvene before schools reopen

July 15, 2020

Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. News

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) announced Monday the state Controlling Board approved another round of federal funding to support Ohio’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, including $300 million in federal funding to offset Ohio’s K-12 schools and colleges and university’s costs of keeping students and staff safe in the fall.

“Schools will be facing difficulties passing upcoming local school levies due to the current recession, among other COVID-19 challenges. There is also the unfair funding struggles most schools already faced before the pandemic. With the cuts from Governor DeWine and the additional costs during the reopening of schools like PPE and sanitation supplies, our public schools need every bit of support we can give them as quickly as possible,” said Rep. Robinson. “I’m glad to see school districts receive these funds now as I continue to advocate for the state legislature to reconvene and provide a bipartisan plan of more support before they reopen. Our ability to support our schools will depend on Speaker Householder and Senate President Obhof. I am optimistic they will make the right decision, but time is running out.”

The Controlling Board Monday approved the use of federal CARES Act funding for the following state agencies to support their efforts in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio:

$200 million to the Ohio Department of Higher Education;
$100 million to the Department of Education;
$169.6 million to the Ohio Department of Medicaid;
$36.8 million to Ohio’s local health departments;
$63.5 million to the Ohio Department of Health;
$15.7 million to the Department of Public Safety;
$3 million to the Department of Natural Resources

From this recent approval of funds distributed by the Controlling Board, public school districts (SD) in Ohio House District 6 will receive almost $2 million collectively, with each SD receiving the following amounts:

Bedford City SD: $185,095
Brecksville-Broadview Heights SD: $184,813
Chagrin Falls Ex. Village SD: $83,644
Cuyahoga Heights Local SD: $37,819
Independence Local SD: $52,225
Mayfield City SD: $231,975
North Royalton City SD: $206,167
Orange City SD: $117,783
Parma City SD: $480,025
Solon City SD: $220,392
South Euclid-Lyndhurst SD: $176,606

Additional federal funds approved by the Controlling Board includes $62 million for Ohio hospitals serving rural and underserved communities, $22.5 million to behavioral health providers, $10 million to fund a direct economic loan program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and $517,000 for the Ohio Arts Council to support community art and education in communities around Ohio.