GIPS to use some COVID funds for musical instruments

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Student musicians in Grand Island Public Schools may be getting some new instruments to play.

The Grand Island school board Monday approved a plan to use $550,000 to buy dozens of stringed, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments for students in band and orchestra programs throughout the district. The board approved bids from Ron’s Music for $266,000 and from Yanda’s Music for $263,000. Both are Grand Island businesses.

A district spokesperson told Local4 that the money comes from a federal COVID relief program known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The district’s web site indicates that Grand Island Public Schools is getting a total of $18 million in ESSER funding. The plan listed on the website indicates the district will spend about half of that money on capital spending for technology and buildings.

The capital projects include improvements at Grand Island Senior High, Walnut and Westridge Middle schools, and Howard, Lincoln, Wasmer, West Lawn, Knickrehm, Newell and Gates elementary schools.

The rest of the ESSER money will be used for salaries and benefits, professional services and instructional materials and supplies.