ISD 196 Granted $1.5M For COVID Tests

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — The state of Minnesota granted Independent School District 196 $1,549,027.52 to fund a COVID-19 testing program for this academic year.

The funds are a part of the state's efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep students in their classrooms. The fund is supported by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Many school districts across the state have not yet applied for the funding. The deadline for districts to apply is Oct. 15.

Testing is key to keeping students safe, healthy, and in the classroom. That's why we’re working with schools to expand our first-in-the-nation testing program. I encourage every school to take advantage of the resources we’re offering.

Learn more at https://t.co/Oj5lAiBbQ0
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) October 5, 2021

Last week, 231 Minnesota K-12 were on the Minnesota Department of Health's list of schools that have had recent COVID-19 outbreaks. Multiple ISD 196 schools were on the list.

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Here are the Dakota County schools with recent COVID-19 outbreaks, according to health officials:

• Cedar Park Elementary School, Apple Valley
• Valley Middle, Apple Valley
• Apple Valley Senior High School, Apple Valley
• Woodland Elementary, Eagan
• Pinewood Elementary School, Eagan
• Echo Park Elementary School, Burnsville
• St. Croix Lutheran, West St. Paul
• Meadowview Elementary, Farmington
• Farmington High School, Farmington
• Hastings Middle School, Hastings
• Kaposia Education Center Elementary, South Saint Paul

More than 79 percent of Dakota County residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Editor's Note: William Bornhoft contributed to this report.