Families were breathing a sigh of relief Wednesday after learning the East Ramapo Central School District is receiving $162 million in federal funding to get kids back in class.

The federal funding aimed at reopening districts comes from the American Rescue Plan.

The formula for funding looked at a district's needs and the number of students below the poverty line – which includes the vast majority of East Ramapo's 40,000 students.

This new funding can be used to purchase PPE and technology, to hire additional staff and invest in mental health services.

Currently, 36% of East Ramapo students remain remote and the rest are hybrid.

Last month, the district was debating nearly three dozen cuts to staff for financial reasons.

On top of the funding, a new advisory task force made up of parents, faculty and community leaders will advise the district on how the money is spent.