City gives GISD Coronavirus Relief Funding monies

Groesbeck Mayor Ray O’Docharty presented GISD Superintendent, Dr. James Cowley with a check in the amount of $26,125 on Mon., Dec. 14. Money that was paid to the district through Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) from the City of Groesbeck.

The council unanimously approved providing CRF funding to Groesbeck ISD at their September council meeting.

The request by Groesbeck ISD for CRF funding from the city; money that was made available to cities and local government statewide through the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) for COVID-19 expenses. Henson stated at the September council meeting that the city could take a 20 percent drawdown, roughly 48,000 dollars, and use it to help the district at no cost to the city.

“The reason we haven’t done this is the City of Groesbeck hasn’t needed the funding. We were very fortunate that we have not had significant unbudgeted Coronavirus expenses,” Henson said.

“One of the things that are allowable with that money is to pass it to another eligible entity; we could say give it to the county, or in this case, we can assist Groesbeck Independent School District by reimbursing them 50 percent of what they’ve already spent on hot spots.”

GISD Superintendent Dr. James Cowley then explained Operation Connectivity to the council, stating that the district has purchased 500 hotspots with internet access for one full year to provide to students that are economically disadvantaged, perhaps most importantly, students who are learning remotely (from home). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) covered 50 percent of the total cost and has said that if the county or city will match 50 percent of what the school district paid, TEA will cover the remaining cost. The district has already paid their required half, but with the City voting to cover the cost of $26,125 with CRF, the district would be reimbursed by TEA, making the total cost to the district and taxpayers $0.