The city Department of Education is shelling out at least $12 million to pay for extra teachers to help maintain social-distancing protocols this school year, documents show.
More than 100 schools requested extra teachers to staff additional classes made necessary by the coronavirus safeguard, according to a DOE memorandum.
Thus far, the schools have given awarded $11,944,931 in COVID-19 relief funds to pay for substitute teachers.
The DOE has instructed principals that they are mandated to maintain 3 feet of distance between students as part of their coronavirus prevention program.
That edict has been a challenge for some administrators, who have had to split up classes and expand schedules to accommodate it.
The DOE has said schools are required to social distance and may use areas such as gyms and cafeterias to help them adhere to the measure.
“This allocation [of funds] is based on staffing needs requested by principals and confirmed by the Borough/Citywide Office,” the department document states.
IS 7 Elias Bernstein on Staten Island, which enrolls roughly 1,200 kids, has been awarded the largest sum so far at $440,087.
Sources said the figure is expected to grow as the school year progresses and other staffing needs become apparent.
The monies are coming out of the federal American Rescue Plan Act that assists with coronavirus-related spending.