ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester City Schools are getting $87 million to help their response to the pandemic.

The district announced Monday that the final portion of that funding has been approved by the New York State Education Department.

The district says the funds will go toward 52 full-time COVID response para-professionals, converting 28 part-time teaching positions to full-time, more school counselors, 75 full-time building substitutes, overtime pay for custodians and more.

“I want to thank our State Monitor Dr. Shelley Jallow for her partnership in working with our team for the past several months to finalize and approve this grant application," Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small said in a statement. "I am also grateful to the State Education Department for recognizing and addressing the fiscal needs of our District. This meaningful investment will go a long way in addressing social emotional, staffing, and health and safety needs of Rochester’s scholars and giving them a fair, sound, and equitable education.”

The RCSD says its application for $197 million in American Rescue Plan Act money is still under review by the State Education Department. 

Click here for a full list of where the approved funds are going, and what the district says the funds still under review would be used for.