Senator Lea Webb Announces Over $5 Million in State Funding to Address Pandemic Learning Loss and Expand Access to Mental Health Care in Area Schools

(Binghamton, NY) Today, Senator Lea Webb (SD52) announced that three area schools will receive more than $5 million in state funding secured in the state budget through the Learning Loss Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS) Grant and the the Mental Health RECOVS Grant. This funding is part of a $100 million award secured by the legislature in last year’s state budget to expand access to learning loss interventions and mental health resources in New York’s schools. 

Senator Lea Webb said, “Learning loss and mental health difficulties are two of the most pressing issues facing our students and our school districts. I am pleased to announce that three school districts I represent, Broome Tioga BOCES, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES, and Dryden Central School District will benefit from this funding to support their efforts. I am committed to fight for the resources our schools need to make sure every student has the best chance of success and the resources they need to support their wellbeing."  

Broome Tioga BOCES will receive $4,147,183 in funding through the Learning Loss Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS) Grant. The funding will expand student access to academic recovery professionals to counter learning loss, improve capacity for school staff and students to identify learning loss, implement evidence-based and evidence-informed school-based learning loss and academic recovery practices, and ensure financial stability for school-based academic recovery opportunities.

This funding is not just a remedy for learning loss; it's a catalyst for strengthening academic recovery, empowering our educators, and ensuring the financial stability required to offer our students a path to success," said Kerri Bullock, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Support Services and Leadership at Broome Tioga BOCES. "The allocated resources will fuel a vital literacy initiative spanning across 10 school districts within our region, with a primary focus on students in grades three through six. These are the young learners who bore the brunt of the pandemic's impact during their crucial developmental years when literacy skills are formed."  

Two school districts in Tompkins County will receive funding through the Mental Health RECOVS grant. Dryden Central School District will receive $231,820 and Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES will receive $702,556 to help the districts expand and support practices that promote mental health and wellness, improves capacity for staff and students to identify mental health concerns and increase help-seeking behaviors, and promotes student diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Said Brian Hartwell, Interim District Superintendent, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES,  “As we navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, prioritizing our students' academic well-being is paramount. We extend our sincere thanks to Senator Lea Webb for securing the $702,556 grant awarded to Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES. With her steadfast support, we can bolster our efforts to mitigate learning loss, equipping our schools with the resources needed to provide tailored support and interventions. Together with Senator Webb, we're laying the groundwork for a brighter, more resilient educational landscape.”