SCRANTON, Pa. — Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration on Monday announced $75 million in grant funding will go to school districts across the state to help finance environmental repairs.
School districts in our area will get a sizeable slice of that cash — more than $6 million — to help get rid of lead and other hazards, like mold and asbestos.
Shapiro at the Antietam school district in Berks County. Last year, catastrophic flooding caused significant damage to buildings in the district near Reading. However, the funding announced in Berks County won’t just stay there.
"Whether environmental damage is caused by catastrophic event, or just the passage of time, we know that there are far too many schools in Pennsylvania who are in dire need of expensive repairs and infrastructure improvements," Shapiro said.
In our area, 21 21 school districts, charter schools and career schools will get a little more than $6 million in grant funding, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Of those, the Lake-Lehman School District is getting nearly $1 million for environmental repairs, as is the Scranton School District. Those are the highest figures in our area.
At the news conference, Shapiro said Scranton officials identified millions of dollars in needed improvements, from fire system sprinklers to removal of lead paint.
"Our students should be able to drink from the water fountains clean water that is not gonna make them sick," Shapiro said. "They should be able to breath clean air free of mold or asbestos and they should be in classrooms that are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Our kids deserve to live in world class facilities that are safe and healthy."
districts had until the beginning of July to apply for funds to cover costs associated with abating environmental hazards in schools. Eligible schools can’t use program money for routine upkeep.
Here's the local schools receiving funds:
School District Amount Awarded
Lake Lehman SD $959,340.00
Scranton SD $826,636.00
Selinsgrove ASD $788,355.00
Pocono Mountain SD $754,886.00
Pine Grove ASD $696,666.00
Pottsvillle ASD $526,739.00
Pleasant Valley SD $264,987.00
Stroudsburg ASD $262,992.00
Forest City Regional SD $195,248.00
Schuylkill Haven ASD $189,910.00
Wallenpaupack ASD $165,633.00
Mid Valley SD $116,149.00
Gillingham CS $95,934.00
Lakeland SD $80,671.00
Delaware Valley SD $58,735.00
Schuylkill County CTC $38,212.00
East Stroudsburg ASD $37,150.00
Columbia-Montour AVTS $36,259.00
Tamaqua ASD $19,578.00
Tunckhannock ASD $15,663.00
Old Forge SD $14,684.00
Total $6,144,427.00