In April 2021, President Biden signed the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, Public Law 117-2, into law. This Act provides additional funds in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) to states and school districts to help safely reopen, sustain the safe operation of schools, and address the impacts of the pandemic on students.

All school districts that receive these funds are required to develop and make public the first submission which requires districts to provide a 1000 character maximum overview of potential areas of spending, as well as to show a plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services for all schools.

The district is required to seek public comment on the Safe Return and take those comments into account when finalizing the Safe Return Plan. The district must also periodically review and, as appropriate, revise its Safe Return Plan (through Sept. 30, 2023).

Please note that any plans pertaining to health and safety are dependent on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NJ Department of Education, the NJ Department of Health, and our local health department.