Kansas schools regain access to millions in COVID recovery funds

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas State Department of Education announced Tuesday it has regained access to millions in promised COVID recovery funding the federal government clawed back earlier this year. The reversal comes after recent legal developments and months of litigation in federal court.

In March, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon informed state education chiefs that the U.S. Department of Education was ending the liquidation period for the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). The move caused Kansas to lose access to $22.6 million. The money was earmarked for addressing learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a written statement from the Kansas Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education has now reinstated the original liquidation process for ESF grants for states not involved in the New York-led lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. This decision reverses the policy that rescinded previously granted extensions for COVID-related education funds.

"I am deeply grateful to the members of our Kansas delegation who supported our efforts to reinstate these critical funds," said Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson. "This is a win for all Kansas students."

As soon it begins drawing down these funds, KSDE said it will reinstate the programs paused when the state lost access to the ESF.

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