Some $73 million in new federal funding is on its way to Hawaii to support staffing, professional development, new technology and academic programs at public schools serving low-income areas, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced on Monday.

The funding for the 2023-2024 school year will go directly to Title I schools, which serve a disproportionate number of students living in poverty. The funds, scheduled for distribution on July 1, 2023, are expected to benefit an estimated 85,000 students across the state.

The allotted funding is $15 million higher than that of the previous fiscal year.

“Hawaii public schools are getting a big boost in federal funding,” said Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new money will help hire more teachers and offer more academic support programs for students in need.”

Authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I funding is the largest source of federal funding for elementary and secondary education in the country.

The grants provide financial assistance to school districts for services that improve the teaching and learning of children at risk of not meeting academic achievement requirements.

Title I grants are based on factors such as per-pupil expenditures, poverty and population estimates. They are targeted to help students who reside in areas with a high concentration of low-income families.

The bulk of the funding, $46,760,813, will go to the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii County will receive $15,853,286, followed by Maui County (4,408,395) and Kauai County ($3,107,773).

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.