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A resolution accepting the recommendations of the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee to amend RS2020-394 to permit Metro Nashville Public Schools (“MNPS”) to use CARES Act funds for student and teacher laptop computers, hotspots, and Pre-K through Grade 12 virtual curriculum for students and school supplies for remote learning.
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WHEREAS, the Metro Council previously approved RS2020-394, in part, to designate use of $24,000,000.00 of federal CARES funds for MNPS laptops and hotspots; and,
WHEREAS, subsequent to the approval of RS2020-394, MNPS has been awarded grant funding from the State of Tennessee to cover a portion of the cost of the laptops and hotspots, thus providing the opportunity to reallocate the funds to cover additional costs as described; and,
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee has determined that MNPS has additional and immediate needs related to COVID-19 that justify the use of CARES funds approved by RS2020-394 to be expanded to include student and teacher laptop computers, hotspots, and Pre-K through Grade 12 virtual curriculum for students and school supplies for remote learning; and,
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee anticipates designating any returned funds to the Metro Finance Department to be used to offset CARES-reimbursable costs incurred by the Metropolitan Government, thereby ensuring that no funds are returned to the federal government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1: The Metropolitan Council approves amending Section 5 of RS2020-394 to permit funds provided to MNPS from Primary Expenditure Account #01602020503130 to be used for student and teacher laptop computers, hotspots, and Pre-K through Grade 12 virtual curriculum for students and school supplies for remote learning.
Section 2: The Metropolitan Council directs that any funds that have not been disbursed by MNPS by December 28, 2020, shall be immediately returned to the Metro Finance Department to be used to offset CARES-reimbursable costs incurred by the Metropolitan Government, thereby ensuring that no funds are returned to the federal government.
Section 3: That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution amends Resolution No. RS2020-394 to permit MNPS to use a portion of the CARES Act grant funds allocated for laptops and hotspots to be used for other curriculum needs and supplies for remote learning.
The Council approved and accepted a Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in an amount not to exceed $121,122,775 via Resolution No. RS2020-318, as amended. In June 2020, the Council approved Resolution No. RS2020-394 to allocate $24,000,000 of the CRF funds for MNPS laptops and hotspots. Subsequent to the approval of RS2020-394, the state awarded MNPS grant funding to cover a portion of the cost of the laptops and hotspots, which has freed up funds that can be reallocated for other MNPS COVID-19-related needs. Specifically, MNPS would like to expand the use of funds to include student and teacher laptop computers, hotspots, and Pre-K through Grade 12 virtual curriculum for students and school supplies for remote learning. Any funds that have not been spent by MNPS by December 28, 2020, will be returned to the Metro Finance Department to be used to offset CARES-reimbursable costs incurred by Metro.
This reallocation has been approved by the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee.
This resolution will need to be withdrawn in favor of Resolution No. RS2020-658 concerning the same subject matter.