In response to the need for immediate COVID relief funding for public schools, Anna Maria Chávez, Executive Director and CEO of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), issued the following statement. Chávez is also available for interviews on this topic:

“For the past several months the National School Boards Association has advocated for at least $200 billion in emergency funding for public schools. While public schools have historically been underfunded, with the COVID-19 pandemic we are at a point where our ability to serve students around the nation is at risk. NSBA again calls on Congress and the Administration to come together in a bi-partisan manner and provide $200 billion for America’s schools.

“As COVID cases are on the rise again, providing high quality learning is becoming more difficult. Students from lower income families, students with disabilities, and those students who lack adequate internet connection are at highest risk. Without additional resources this equity gap will only increase.

“America’s public school students need COVID relief funding for public school districts to continue to provide education, food, childcare, socialization, therapy, health care and investments for teachers, broadband, transportation and countless other services for over 50 million students. The future of our country depends on it.”