Exactly what was done with all that federal aid that schools received from the COVID relief money?

That is the question many of us are asking today after hearing the news out of Chicago.

The city received $2.8 billion in funding to ensure schools could open and remain open safely with COVID, yet city public schools were locked for most of the past week.

The Unions

As much as I despise Lori Lightfoot, this one was not on her, but she needs to do something about it.

Or was it?

Lightfoot did not make the decision to close the schools, but the local union is pointing the finger at her for not properly managing the situation during the pandemic.

The decision to close schools was made at the teachers’ union level.

The Chicago union decided that the Omicron surge made it too dangerous for teachers to return to school, so the system was shut down halfway through the week and kids remained home.

All told, the city was slated to receive almost $2.8 billion COVID relief money, so what did they do with it if they cannot keep the schools open?

Reports show that some $56 million was spent on technology, such as laptops and safety equipment.

The schools also paid for educational materials, transportation costs, and student meals.

Unions, however, as saying that enough has not been done to make these schools safe for students and teachers to attend.

One of the union’s complaints was that Mayor Lori Lightfoot had not spent enough of the money allocated to schools.

Chicago Teachers’ Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates stated, “The in-person learning that some of us are getting is still not where it needs to be because the district, the mayor, refuses to put the resources into schools. She spent $100 million.”

Who do you blame for the schools closing?

Do you think Lightfoot is to blame or do you think the unions have too much power here?

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Source: Fox Business