The Governor has yet to apply to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to receive funds under the Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools program (EANS). WCRIS has sent a letter to the Governor requesting him to file for the funds.
EANS is a program exclusively for the benefit of private schools and their students, teachers, and families. Nationally, the program is funded at $2.75 billion. Wisconsin will get $77.4 million.
Once the Governor applies to the USDE for funds, the Department provides the funds to the DPI to administer the grant. There is no involvement from local public school districts.
The law provides the following timeline:
- Date the law was enacted: December 27
- USDEmust release state applications for EANS: January 26
- SEA must publish a private school application within 30 days of receiving money: ETA — February-March
- SEA must approve or deny the private school application within 30 days of receipt: Estimated–March-April
- SEA must obligate funds within 6 months of receipt: Estimated—August.
Any non-profit private school is eligible to apply for EANS provided the private school is not applying for the second round of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). Private schools applying for EANS will have to complete an application form, which WCRIS is helping the DPI draft. We are advocating for a simple, easy form with fewer than six questions.
The funds can be spent by the private school on 12 Allowable Uses (mid-way on the page). WCRIS has suggestions for the uses that may help you maximize your school’s allocation, given that you are already nine months into the pandemic and have already purchased many things you needed to keep your school going.
