ARP ESSER Funding

On March 11, 2021 the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding from the ARP Act provides support for K-12 schools to help safely open and sustain the safe operations of schools and address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. For more information about ARP ESSER visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

D49 ARP ESSER Plan

District 49 zones and schools, including charter schools, utilized needs assessment data and community input to generate plans for the use of ARP ESSER funds allocated on a per pupil basis. The budget and application has been approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Allocated Funding

District 49 was allocated just over $15.4 million dollars. Of this amount, $8.69 million is for district-operated schools and $6.71 million is for charter schools.

Funding Plan - Revised August 2023

The District has until September 30, 2024 to spend ESSER III funds. As priorities change in responding to the pandemic and its effect on staff and students, the Use of Funds Plan may be revised. Approximated dollar amounts. May not add to total due to rounding.

Zones and schools, including charter schools, have determined the following ways to utilize funds to address learning, social & emotional/ mental health, health & safety, and continuity of operation needs.

Addressing Learning Needs ($9.5M):

• Intervention & instructional coaching staff to support math & reading needs
• Additional teachers to support smaller student/teacher ratios
• Curricular programs & resources
• Tutoring and after-school programming
• Career exploration, academic planning, & work-based learning program
• Staff professional development for addressing learning loss
• CLDE transition meetings
• Summer school programming
• Data warehouse & analysis tool

Social & Emotional/ Mental Health ($1.7M):

• Youth Mental Health & SEL professional development
• Staff to support social/ emotional/ behavioral needs of students
• SEL curricular programs & resources
• Monetary incentives to retain staff

Health & Safety Needs ($611K):

• Personal protective equipment
• Flexible furniture to support social distancing
• Outdoor classroom and learning supplies
• Sanitation and cleaning services
• HVAC updates
• Additional school nurse

Continuity of Operations ($3.4M):

• Educational technology
· Laptops, iPads, interactive panels, and displays
· Carts, charging stations, and cases
• Substitute teacher support
• Improving facilities to reduce health hazards
• Grant management costs

School districts are required to spend at least 20% of the funding on evidence-based interventions to address learning loss.

District 49's plan includes over $4.79 million dollars for evidence-based interventions, 31% of total funding.

Monitoring and Measuring Success
Community Input on Relief Funding
District 49 asked for community input regarding how to spend our American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds via a survey as well as community feedback sessions. The community was invited to take the short survey or attend a feedback session to help plan and prioritize the use of funds. The survey was sent to families via email and posted on our district website for community input. D49 received over 1,250 responses to the survey.

SURVEY RESULTS

Thank you to all staff, parents and community members who took time to complete our survey regarding our ARP ESSER funds.

District 49 asked for input on how to spend these dollars, and all community feedback will be evaluated through the lens of allowable costs, as determined by the federal government and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Here is a snapshot of the survey results for all respondents and the areas that need the most attention.
- 55% of all respondents think social and emotional/mental health services, supports and curriculum are essential.
- 42% of all respondents said technology devices (Chromebooks, iPads, etc.) and digital supports are essential.
- 41% of survey takers feel that in-school intervention and programming is essential.
- 36% of all survey takers said COVID-19 Safety Protocols & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are essential.
- 28% of all respondents think increasing family engagement and involvement is essential.
- 17% of all survey takers think extended learning through summer programming is essential.
Some open-ended comments and themes shared include:
- We need more technology. All schools should be 1:1.
- Technology should work properly, and be made available to all students.
- Offer mental health support for staff who are in crisis management.
- Focus on healthy living (nutrition, exercise and mental health).
- Support counseling for students to express feelings and concerns.
- Help students transition and adjust back to the classroom learning environment.
- Address air ventilation in classrooms and consider more outdoor space.
- Do what is necessary to keep schools open for learning.
- Focus on safety protocols like PPE.
- Use funds for supplies like headphones, dry erase boards and textbooks.
- Help students get caught up to impact test scores.
ARP ESSER III Community Survey Results

BOARD PRESENTATION

ESSER III information was provided at the October 14, 2021 school board meeting.

BOE ESSER III Presentation
Past Pandemic Stimulus Funding