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Florida county is first to receive a federal grant making up for money lost over COVID-19 mask mandate

by (WMFE)

Alachua County Superintendent of School Carlee Simon speaks with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona during an online call on Thursday. Image: USDOE via Twitter


A Florida county that bucked Gov. Ron DeSantis’s ban and was penalized for requiring masks at public schools got a bit of boost Thursday from the U.S. Department of Education.

Secretary Miguel Cardona told Alachua County Superintendent Carlee Simon in an online call that the district will receive $147,719 to make up for money withheld by the state.

It is the first district to receive a Project SAFE grant for that reason.

Cardona said the president wanted to support her and her leadership in protecting students. He said: “We got your back.”

He urges other districts that lost funding because of CDC-recommended strategies to apply for the grant.


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Joe Byrnes

About Joe Byrnes

Reporter

Joe Byrnes came to WMFE/WMFV from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.

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