Medford Received $5M+ In CARES Act Funding: How It Was Used

MEDFORD, MA — Medford was awarded $5,093,008 in CARES Act funding for COVID-19 relief, according to Finance Director Aleesha Nunley Benjamin. The Medford Public Schools received $936,900 from a Coronavirus Relief Fund School Reopening Grant and $668,052 from an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Grant.

The Reopening Grant, which averaged to $225 per student, supports the cost to reopen schools and is based on foundation enrollment in Fiscal Year 2021. The Elementary and Secondary School Grant, administered through the CARES Act, was used for technology needs and training due to COVID-19.

Benjamin said the CARES Act funding went toward:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the city and schools
• Accelerated telework capacity (laptops, Chromebooks, subscriptions for teleconferences etc.)
• Testing for COVID-19
• Signs and communication
• Cleaning and disinfection of public buildings
• Overtime attributed to backfilling for staff and for direct COVID-19 related work
• Food pantry development in response to COVID-19