COVID funds save WCPS beginning teachers

Wayne County Public Schools will be able to keep its beginning teachers as a result of extra federal funding.

The North Carolina Department of Instruction approved the Wayne County School District’s plan late Thursday for using the next round of its ESSER funding — the money allocated by the federal government to schools for coronavirus relief.

Included in the plan are air quality and environmental improvements, funds for devices and upgrades for online infrastructure as well as keeping beginning teacher jobs.

The district had announced that it would not be able to keep Beginning Teachers 1 and 2 as a result of budget concerns. The district has faced a multi-million-dollar deficit and created a spending plan with an eye on eliminating that debt and moving forward with a balanced budget.

The district will receive more than $80 million in two installments as part of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

The money is encumbered and can only be used for certain purposes, Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lewis said.

For complete detail on the ESSER II funding spending plan, follow the New Old North here and on our Facebook page @newoldnorth