Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER III) Spending Plan
2021-2024
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government initiated the Elementary & Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) Fund. The funding is allocated to schools based on each school’s percentage of economically disadvantaged students. For Dewey Public Schools, the total amount of dollars allocated for the 3rd installment titled the American Rescue Plan (ARP)/ESSER III is $1,855,675.84. These funds are available until September 2024 as a reimbursement for costs associated with a school’s response to the pandemic in keeping students and staff safe and overcoming student learning loss. The following is a general plan for utilizing the funds at Dewey Schools.
Areas of Focus
Student Learning Loss
Staff/Student Safety
Facility Renovation
Student/School Transportation
Staffing Retention
Technology
Student Learning Loss
- After school tutoring programs (Staffing)
- Summer school programs (Staffing)
- Remediation programs (Staffing)
- Curriculum and software programs to support learning within school remediation programs during the school year and in after school tutoring and summer school programs
Staff/Student Safety
- Replacement of aged Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units districtwide
- Update surveillance system to better support contact tracing
- Replacement of interior and exterior doors for ventilation purposes
- Replacement of windows for ventilation purposes
- Repair of existing roof structures to eliminate leaking
Facility Renovation
- Removing carpet and install non-porous floor surfaces
Student/School Transportation
- Purchase of buses and other approved school transportation
Staffing Retention
- Employee salaries and benefits for identified employees supporting learning loss programs
- Employee salary and benefits for a school based nurse
- Stipends for staff members as incentives to remain with the district during the pandemic and for extra duties performed to keep staff/students safe and providing for distance learning
- Stipends for staff members working extra duties to support the district’s online learning program
Technology
- Technology such as chromebooks and desktop computers/monitors to support remote learning programs, after school tutoring programs, remediation programs, Summer School programs, and remote learning options for students
- Software programs/tools to support virtual, blended, and distance learning options
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