Friday, June 9, 2023–1:47 p.m.

-Rome News-Tribune-

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

You may have noticed some construction activity on the Shorter Avenue side of West End Elementary.

The work is part of a two-story, eight-classroom addition at West End.

The project will also see the expansion of the cafeteria and a paved 57-space parking lot.

Work is also underway on five additional classrooms and a playground at East Central.

According to the Rome-News Tribune:

The school system is using $14 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, essentially split between the two schools, according to RCS Director of Communications and Public Engagement Winnie Wright.

More commonly known by the acronym ESSER, the federal program administered by the Department of Education allocated funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides emergency financial assistance to public school districts across the country.

However, school systems can use the program funding to invest in infrastructure and programs as well.