This story was updated at 12:28 a.m. Monday, April 5.

School districts in Kendall County just got a signifcant windfall from the recently passed federal stimulus, joining in on $7 billion that will be released to Illinois schools due to the pandemic as federal officials push for schools to reopen.

The funds are a third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, with other rounds distributed under prior stimulus packages. This cycle of funding is by far the greatest, though, with six local school districts set to receive $12.5 million.

Tony Baker, superintendent of Plano CUSD 88, said the district would use initial funds to extend its summer learning program, adding that the program’s enrollment of about 500 students is the highest its been in recent years.

“Probably one of the two or three biggest factors that we’re challenged with right now is the learning loss from the pandemic,” Baker said. “So we’re advocating some of that income or revenue as a way to extend our kids’ learning for another month... Usually our summer program is an extension program, but this is really an extension of the school year.”

Though Baker is still reviewing requirements on how the money can be spent, he said district officials have looked into using the funds to create different classroom spaces and improving air circulation in schools.

“Those are probably the biggest ticket items for now, but we do have a three-year window to spend those funds,” Baker remarked. “It’s not one lump sum of money just shows up, we have to be very diligent about submitting reports and making sure those get approved through the state before purchases are made.”

Plano CUSD 88 had used previous stimulus funds to purchase devices for students and ensuring all pupils have internet connectivity to work from home.

Over at Yorkville CUSD 115, Superintendent Tim Shimp said officials have yet to decide how to allocate the funds, potential options include expanding after school tutoring and a boost to school day personnel.

“It’s kind of still a little bit fresh for us to make any significant decisions yet,” Shimp commented, saying that the school board will be reviewing stimulus revenue and expenditures at an upcoming meeting.

In addition, Yorkville schools will be polling families and staff in the coming weeks to prep for its summer school program set to last from June to August.

Third round ESSER funds to each Kendall County school district are as follows:

Oswego CUSD 308: $7,449,547

Lisbon CCSD 90: $17,329

Newark CHSD 18: $142,770

Newark CCSD 66: $183,336

Plano CUSD 88: $2,525,608

Yorkville CUSD 115: $2,203,368

Once the funds have been fully distributed within the next three years, county schools will have received about $20 million in federal funds since the pandemic began.

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced recommendations for how best to allocate the funds in a press release Wednesday, March 31, calling it an “unprecedented level of funding.”

“I’m committed to making sure that Illinois leads the nation in assisting schools to make this new $7 billion count over the next several years to overcome the pandemic’s effects on our students, parents and educators,” the governor said in a press release.

The Illinois P-20 Council for education’s 180-guide containing recommendations on how to best spend the funds can be found here.