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

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.
Strong leaders deserve support. Today, we awarded the first Project SAFE grant to @AlachuaSchools to cover financial penalties imposed on them for using policies that keep students safe. I spoke with @DrCarleeSimon to let her know: we have her back. pic.twitter.com/CpkJKq2xER
— Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) September 23, 2021
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