School Superintendents, Business Officials Estimate Additional Costs to Reopen in the Fall

This week, the School Superintendents Association (AASA) and the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International released a document estimating the average cost of reopening a school district this fall.

The estimate is based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which suggest a variety of safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The findings conclude that an average district would incur roughly $1.75 million in additional expenditures to reopen their school buildings if they adhere to the CDC guidelines. Expenses are placed into four categories: adhering to health monitoring and cleaning/disinfecting protocols; hiring staff to implement health and safety protocols; providing personal protective equipment; and providing transportation and childcare.

In an article published by U.S. News and World Report, which featured the cost estimate document, AASA and ASBO International argue that without a significant investment from the federal government, some districts simply would not be able to open for in-person instruction this fall.

To view the cost estimate document, go here.

To view the U.S. News and World Report article, go here.