• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) 

    Data shows the pandemic has had a significant impact on student learning. To help combat the impact of the pandemic, the following Acts have been developed to allocate Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to school districts across the nation:

    • March 2020: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) - ESSER I 
    • December 2020: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA Act) - ESSER II
    • March 2021: American Rescue Plan (ARP Act) - ESSER III

    ESSER I and ESSER II were both supplanted by the State (i.e., Texas reduced state funding [Foundation School Program / FSP] to districts), so that what districts received from FSP + ESSER equaled what we would have received in FSP funding had we not been impacted by COVID-19.

     

    ESSER III is the single largest investment in federal elementary and secondary education in the nation’s history. This allotment was passed on from the state to school districts.

    • ESSER III provides resources for critical one-time investments; time-limited programming to respond to the pandemic; and innovation that can redefine student learning, acceleration, and development to address learning loss and mental health needs.
    • Springtown ISD has been allocated $3,772,287 in ESSER III funding and is applying to the Texas Education Agency to access the funds.
    • We apply first for the first 2/3s of funding ($2,514,858 - July 2021), and later the Texas Education Agency will allow us to apply for the final 1/3 of funding ($1,257,429).
    • The supplemental funds can be used for allowable expenses occurring between March 13, 2020 (when the national emergency was declared) and September 30, 2023 (plus a one-year Tydings Amendment - September 30, 2024).
    • Districts will be required to follow all federal, state and local regulations and requirements for federal grant administration and fiscal spending of these funds.

     

    Timeline 

    • April 27, 2021: TEA released amounts districts are eligible for
    • April 28, 2021: TEA released updated grant application for school districts
    • May/June 2021: District and Public Feedback Survey (Survey Results)
    • June 8, 2021: ESSER III Planning Committee  Meeting
    • June 21, 2021: District Leadership Planning Meeting
    • June 28, 2021: Presentation to the SISD Board of Trustees (PowerPoint Presentation)
    • June 28, 2021: ESSER III Public Meeting/Hearing (Public Notice)
    • June 29, 2021: Application Submitted to TEA
    • January 2022: District and Public Feedback Survey
    • June-October 2022: Weekly Open Forum Feedback
    • October 3, 2022: DIAC Meeting

     

    Use of ESSER III Funds Plan

    The ESSER III funds must be spent by September 2024.  Per requirements, the development of a plan for the use of these funds was made with educators and other required stakeholders as noted above.  Consultation with district and campus leadership occurred to begin brainstorming possible strategies that were allowable expenditures through ESSER III funds. A stakeholder survey sought feedback to guide and support these funds' instructional and expenditure plans. Then an ESSER III Planning Committee composed of required stakeholders met to analyze and prioritize the needs of the district. A draft of the Use of Funds Plan was presented to the Board of Trustees and Community for Public Comment on June 28, 2021.

    Based on stakeholder feedback and an analysis of prioritized needs, Springtown ISD's Use of Funds Plan focuses on:

      • Mental Health Needs (students and staff)
      • Academic and Social/Emotional Training and Supports
      • Staff Recruitment and Retention Stipends
      • Instructional Resources
      • Extended Learning Opportunities (Summer School, Extended Learning Camps, Tutoring)  
      • Stipends for additional responsibilities
      • Payroll costs to continue to employ existing staff members
      • Payroll for additional positions

     

    The District will continue to collect feedback on the currently adopted version of the plan.  Provide feedback here.

     

    Safe Return to In-Person Instruction & Continuity of Services Plan

    The American Rescue Plan Act requires that school districts make their Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan available to the public online. The plans must be in an understandable and uniform format, to the extent practicable, and written in a language that parents can understand. Alternatively, the plan may be orally translated or provided in an alternative accessible format upon request.

    Springtown ISD will continue to work collaboratively to review and refine our plans throughout the year.

     

    The District will continue to collect feedback on the currently adopted version of the plan. Please provide any feedback below.