Not many companies expect to end the year with a surplus, but many schools might be in such a position after the influx of COVID relief funds. Elementary, middle, and high schools received $128.5 billion of the allotted funds, while colleges and universities received $40 billion.

The popular 2000s sitcom “The Office” featured an episode where rather than return budget surplus funds to the corporate office, employees fought over whether to purchase a new copier or new chairs. While many company leaders can relate to the delicate dance of balancing a facilities management budget, the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act is putting some businesses – especially schools – in the position to splurge at the end of this year.

At their fiscal year end in June, Idaho reported close to a $900 million surplus. Officials were divided on how to use a portion of that for schools, such as increasing salaries for teachers or offering state-funded all-day kindergarten. Though the stakes are much higher than new chairs or copiers, there are ways schools can benefit from and use these surplus funds in these few remaining weeks, especially when it comes to facilities management essentials.