Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL14), Frederica Wilson (FL24) and Lois Frankel (FL21) and Democratic members of the Florida Congressional Delegation wrote Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Wilton Simpson, Speaker Chris Sprowls and Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran urging them to immediately disburse $3.1 billion in federal emergency aid that was approved by Congress back in December to Florida’s public school districts. The U.S. Department of Education made these funds available to Florida on January 6, 2021, but they have not yet been allocated to benefit students and schools. It’s not clear why the State continues to withhold funds from schools and students.

“The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the delays in receiving federal emergency aid have created budget pressures on all Florida school districts.  Florida schools are facing extensive unexpected costs as a direct result of the public health crisis.  Across the state of Florida, school districts are contemplating how to address learning losses, and some are considering drastic cuts that would prove harmful to our students and state in the long run.  Withholding federal emergency aid likely will increase the negative impact on our school districts, eventually costing taxpayers more money or leading to additional budget harm,” the members wrote.

“Federal emergency aid is intended to support our students and educators immediately without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.  Therefore, we urge you to expedite the transfer of federal emergency education funds to our local school districts, put the needs of our families and students first, and work with us on the next round of emergency aid,” they continued.

The House passed the American Rescue Plan this weekend, which allocates an estimated $7.4 billion in additional funds to Florida’s K-12 schools. The funds from the emergency aid packages will be used for a wide range of uses to lift student achievement, repair ventilation systems, reduce class sizes and implement social distancing guidelines, purchase personal protective equipment, and hire support staff to care for students’ health and well-being.

Castor also wrote DeSantis last week urging him to release the $222 million allocated to Hillsborough County Public Schools and has not received a reply.

The full letter can be read here.