As school mask mandates are being challenged in court, Governor Doug Ducey is offering financial incentives to schools willing to obey the state’s mandate ban. The governor is offering $163-million in grant funding to boost per pupil spending in schools that don’t require mask wearing. Ducey will also give seven-thousand dollars in federal COVID money to students who attend schools that have installed mask mandates or provide “preferential treatment” to vaccinated students. Senate President Karen Fann of Prescott and House Speaker Rusty Bowers are fully supporting the governor on this plan. Eligible families must have a total household income that is at or below 350-percent of the federal poverty level. Money families receive from the program can be used for education-related expenses, including: transportation to school, online tutoring, child care and tuition. Qualifying families must show they meet the program’s financial requirements and prove their school district imposes anti-COVID measures such as mask wearing, isolating or quarantining students. Families have until Friday to apply for the money, which is on a first-come, first-served basis.
To apply for the grant money, click here:
