Seaford UFSD receives over $3M in federal Covid-19 relief aid

Seaford Union Free School District will receive roughly $3.16 million through two federal grants which will be used to improve district infrastructure, students’ socio-emotional health, and more, district officials announced last week.

At a school board meeting last Wednesday at Seaford Manor Elementary School, Superintendent Adele Pecora and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Rhonda Meserole discussed how the district will use its funding from the American Rescue Plan and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, two federal grants created by the government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seaford will receive $1.131 million from the ARP Act. The district must spend a portion of these monies on afterschool extended day activities, summer enrichment, and learning loss, to meet federal criteria, Meserole said.

The district’s ARP grant proposal includes two new fifth grade teachers at the Manor and Harbor Schools; two new psychologists at the elementary and secondary level; new music instruments, band uniforms, science, art/technology and athletic equipment for students; and the summer experience program.

The district will get an additional $2.03 mil from CRRSAA. Funds in this category will establish two Academic Support Facilitators, who will work with struggling general education students and purchase new math and reading programs.

When the time comes, funding will also be used to create flexible furniture at the secondary buildings and create a “VIBE Studio” at Seaford High School, Pecora said, which will encourage students to create podcasts to discuss their mental health during the pandemic.

A portion of funds will also be used to improve district infrastructure. Two science labs at the high school, Rooms 204 and 205, will be upgraded to benefit students and improve ventilation and reduce the risk of virus transmission, Pecora said.

To improve Seaford Middle Schoolers' social-emotional health, the District may use funds to establish a Wellness Center for students. The room, which uses existing space, will encourage students to decompress and will offer positive mental health resources, Pecora said. Construction would also improve the layout of the guidance offices and improve ventilation.

“This would be a tremendous asset to the middle school,” Pecora said.

Before renovations can take place, the district must hold a public vote, as the two construction projects are considered “capital projects,” Meserole said. A vote is expected to take place in the fall, though a date has not yet been set.

Both grants will also help to implement the socio-emotional “RULER Program” districtwide. Psychologist Marc Brackett, who created the system which helps children to better process their emotions, will train Seaford teachers on Aug. 31.

“We’re going to spend a lot of resources making sure this is implemented because not only will it support the students, but it will support everyone that attends our schools on a regular basis,” Pecora said.

Both sets of funding will be used over several fiscal years, Dr. Pecora said: the ARP by 2024 and the CRRSA by Sept. 2023.

“I’m so pleased with how the federal funds are being used,” board member Natalie Pedisich said after the presentation. “It’s looking great and I’m so pleased that we’re focusing on the students.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the district would receive over $5 million in federal funding. We regret this error.