Long Branch Schools Have Gotten Over $18M In State COVID Relief

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Since March 2020, the state of New Jersey has received over $4 billion from the federal government to help the state’s schools deal with the costs that occurred during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of that $4 billion pool, the Long Branch Public School District has received $18,049,086 in COVID-19 relief money from the state, which averages about $3,083.73 a student.

This money was given to the district in three Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund or ESSR grants.

The Associated Press analyzed both state and federal data and tracked more than $156 billion out of the $190 billion sent to states to distribute among schools since last year, including general pandemic relief that some states shared with their schools. Some districts will receive sums amounting to 50 percent or more of the cost to run their schools for a year.

According to the AP's analysis, the aid averages nearly $2,800 per student nationwide, but it varies widely by district and state.