Instead of returning unused pandemic response money related to education back to the federal government, Danbury is seeking further reimbursement for eligible costs.  The lobbyist for the schools and the City notes that the request is nearly $3 million.  A letter was sent by the Mayor in January to then Office of Policy and Manage Secretary Melissa McCaw with the request, but there is now a new OPM Secretary.  The Danbury Board of Education spent all of the funds allocated to them for cost mitigation.  Superintendent Kevin Walston says it's a justifiable request.  He notes that STA transportation drivers were paid throughout the pandemic, even though buses didn't run, and the same for food services, which lost considerable revenue during remote learning.  Walston says there are still some outstanding costs, but some districts may not have been as impacted as Danbury.  The District's lobbyist reported that they don't think the state wants to turn back federal funds if there are districts that they could support, and haven't gotten any negative feedback on the idea, but said it's still early in the budget process.