Edina Public Schools Get $457K Grant For Coronavirus Testing

EDINA, MN — The state of Minnesota has granted the Edina Public School District more than $457,000 to fund a coronavirus testing program during the 2021-22 academic year.

The funds are part of the state's efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure in-person learning can continue amid the ongoing pandemic. Minnesota’s $55 million school-testing program 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 after the Minnesota Department of Health extended the application window last week.

Education Commissioner Heather Mueller said the testing program will help students in schools, which she called “the very best place for our students to receive an education and to develop the important social-emotional skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”

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" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz... 5, 2021

Last week, 231 Minnesota K-12 schools were on the Minnesota Department of Health's list of schools that have had recent COVID-19 outbreaks, including Creek Valley Elementary.

Editor William Bornhoft contributed to this report.