Mercer Co. - Mercer County school districts and charter schools are receiving approximately $33.2 million in federal funding to ensure students have a safe and successful return to the classroom, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced Tuesday. 

Longietti, who is Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee, said schools will be able to use the funding to address a broad range of needs, such as programs to remedy the loss of learning, resources to replenish depleted supplies and funding to ensure a safe school environment. 

"Some challenges posed by the pandemic – such as the need for additional educational supplies and building-related needs – are relatively obvious and easy to determine," Longietti said. "Others – such as the loss of learning and other progress gaps or setbacks some students may have experienced – are more subtle. Fortunately, the funding will be allocated by dedicated school professionals who understand their districts' needs and will ensure the resources go where they are most needed."

Longietti said the funding includes the following: 

• Farrell Area School District – $6.5 million.

• Greenville Area School District – $4.2 million.

• Hermitage School District – $3.2 million.

• Keystone Education Center Charter School – $546,000.

• Reynolds School District – $3.4 million.

• Sharon City School District – $10.7 million.

• Sharpsville Area School District – $2.4 million.

• West Middlesex School District – $2.3 million.

The funding is part of nearly $5 billion in federal relief under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.