OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Darren Soto wants more federal investments in schools after Celebration K-8 School's head janitor, Juan Carlos Sosa, died of COVID-19 on August 30 and five other custodians recently tested positive for the disease.
What You Need To Know
- U.S. Rep. Darren Soto is pushing for the HEROES Act
- It will provide more federal investments in schools, he says
- RELATED: Osceola County Family Who Fought COVID-19 Has Cautionary Message
Sosa’s family joined U.S. Rep. Darren Soto Wednesday in his push for the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES).
The HEROES Act would help with the COVID-19 impact on the economy, public health, as well as businesses and state and local governments.
It will also provide more federal investment in schools, which Soto said he would like to see.
“This can mean $3.48 billion in additional funds for Florida K-12 schools based on our population,” he explained. “The bill also provides $3 billion to school nutrition programs across the nation.”
Nancy Batista, Sosa’s niece, said, “I know that if you knew my uncle the way I did, you would also wish you had more time. Please do not allow his death to go in vain.”
While the family believes that Sosa got COVID-19 at Celebration K-8 School, Osceola County School District officials said there is no way of confirming that.
"Juan has been the pillar of the CK8 community for many, many years." School Principal Rhonda McMahon said. "His kindness and devotion to our Celebration community were impossible to miss.
“His love for our school and our families radiated from him every day he was at work. He loved Celebration School as he loved his family, with all of his heart and soul.”
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