North Dakota schools to receive additional aid for pandemic costs

North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler says schools in North Dakota will receive an additional $33.8 million in new aid to be used for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Announced Wednesday, these funds may be used for mental health support, technology, building ventilation improvements and other needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds, called resiliency grants, are the latest installment of a school pandemic aid package totally nearly $94 million to date. The amount includes $30.1 million that was distributed originally to schools in April, along with another $30 million, which was endorsed by North Dakota lawmakers in September.

Each public school district in North Dakota will receive at least $30,000, regardless of the size of the district. In addition, each district will receive approximately $251 per student.