Niles City Schools, like so many districts trying to maintain financial stability in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, got some welcome news in the form of $3.49 million in federal CARES Act (coronavirus relief) funds awaiting the district’s application. The amount, described as “a preliminary allocation,” clearly exceeds what the district, still working on recovery from fiscal emergency, expected to received. Last year’s amount was $900,000.

“It’s four times more than we were afforded last year,” Treasurer Rhonda Amorganos told the fiscal commission that oversees district finances Tuesday.

The funds are awarded through the federal Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and can be spent on Covid-related needs through September 2023 such as purchase of personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies. Amorganos said some of the money will help bolster the district’s lunchroom fund, which is in desperate need as are similar funds in many school districts. “Many districts are running into the red (in lunchroom funds because) participation is 50-percent less than usual,” she said.

The treasurer also revealed another financial boost. The district, which lost $317,000 in state-ordered budget cuts last year, will be getting more than $173,000 of that amount returned thanks to a bill signed recently by Gov Mike DeWine. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen money taken away and actually given back, which is a good thing,” Amorganos said. “A whole bunch of good news.”

Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen told the commission she hopes to be able to return to the normal five-day in-school classes “hopefully within a month-and-a-half at the latest.” Niles Schools currently limit those classes to two days each week. She told 21 News “safety and health” of students and staff will have the highest priority before restoring the five-day classroom week. “That’s our goal,” the superintendent said.