Cobleskill-Richmondville will study how to use more than $6 million in federal stimulus money to help students who fell behind during the pandemic.
Superintendent Carl Mummenthey outlined the process to school board members Monday night.
These funds “are once in a lifetime or once in a decade to flow into our district,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
C-R already used nearly a half-million dollars received under the federal CARES Act this year; another $6.32 million should be coming under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.
Like other schools, C-R’s class failure rate was higher than usual because of the difficulties caused by remote learning and other complexities of the pandemic.
To help students catch up, C-R will use the federal funds to expand summer school and remedial programs.
“Every grade level will have an opportunity for summer learning,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
By law, C-R can’t fold the federal money into its standard budget to lower taxes. It’s to “be used above and beyond the usual budget,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
Also, C-R must spend all of the $6.32 million by September 2024, though Mr. Mummenthey sees student catch-up being a multi-year project.
Because the money won’t be used all at once, the district will invest the funds and form committees to advise “on highest-value investment priorities,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
He stressed two points to remember:
The money “is a major federal investment in our district, and our job is to spend it wisely,” Mr. Mummenthey said.

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In other business Monday night, board members approved the senior class trip.
Seniors Grace Dunham and Olivia Chamberlain outlined the trip to 6 Flags New England on June 19.
COVID-safety protocols will be in effect, including mask-wearing, social distancing and the availability of sanitation centers, the seniors said.
School board President Bruce Tryon endorsed the trip, and other board members approved.

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Also, Mr. Mummenthey updated the board on C-R’s COVID status.
There have been 82 COVID cases since the start of the pandemic, 52 students and 30 staff members.
“Those numbers are starting to slow, and that’s a good sign,” Mr. Mummenthey said.