Large Parts of Buffalo Schools Stimulus Funds Not Yet Allocated

The American Rescue Plan is putting billions of federal dollars in hands of state and local governments in an effort to help stem the negative impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic that brought the entire world to a standstill for more than a year.

Between the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Public School System, more than $600 Million in federal funds are making their way to Buffalo to help turn some things around.

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Earlier this year both the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Schools asked for people to give suggestions on how they should spend these dollars.

From helping people with their past-due water bills, to assisting struggling students to earn money while they earn their diploma, it seems that these funds are well on their way towards helping people recover.

However, according to reporting by the Buffalo News, there are a lot of details missing from the Buffalo Public Schools spending plan.

The BPS released a 169-page spending plan that gives a lot of background information and talks about concepts and ideas but does not have a lot of detail on how the district will actually spend the almost $300 Million they are due to receive.

Officials from the Buffalo Public Schools say that the spending plan is a working document that will be added to and amended in the coming weeks and months. Local education advocates are concerned that without specific spending details, the funds will be mostly used for payroll and other administrative items and will not directly impact or improve the students who were most impacted by COVID-19.

The Buffalo Public Schools plan to hold more public information sessions to help ensure that everyone's voice is heard and taken into account.