What is the purpose of the ARP ESSER III funds?
The purpose of ESSER in general is to award subgrants to school districts, such as Cicero District 99, to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. The aim of ESSER III funding is to enable Cicero District 99 to develop a plan for the "safe return to in-person learning and continuity of services for the purpose of promoting transparency and accountability for funds usage" by the District.
How much funding is available to Cicero District 99?
A total of $40,880,936 is available to the District. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has a list of available funds for all of the state's school districts on its website.
How does Cicero District 99 know its granted amount?
Grant allocations are posted on ISBE's webpage.
What is the funding period for ARP ESSER III grants?
Funds may be used for allowable activities from March, 13 2020 (with approved pre-award) through Sept. 30, 2024.
What are the federal requirements around the District ESSER III Use Of Funds Plan?
Cicero District 99 must engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders and give the public an opportunity to provide input in the development of its plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds. As there is no prescriptive process for gathering community input, Cicero District 99 has chosen to utilize a community stakeholder survey to solicit meaningful input for the ARP ESSER III Grant.
To encourage participation, the availability of the community stakeholder survey will be advertised by Cicero District 99 via website, mobile application and social media outlets.
Cicero District 99 must provide its plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds in an understandable and uniform format. Cicero District 99's plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds will be posted to the District's website within 30 days of receiving its ESSER III Notice of Grant Award.
Are the ESSER III funds required to be used for specific purposes?
Yes, Cicero District 99 per grant guidelines must expend a minimum of 20 percent of their grant funds to address "the academic impact of lost instructional time" (learning loss). Cicero District 99 can spend these funds on:
1. Evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning, extended day comprehensive after school programs, or extended school year programs.
2. Ensure interventions respond to students' academic, social, emotional and mental health needs, and address the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on student populations as defined in ESEA, Title 1, Part A, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, migratory students and youth in foster care.
Are there recommended uses of ESSER III funds that will assist school districts in addressing the impact of the COVID pandemic and disruptions leading to learning loss?
While keeping in mind and requirements under ESSER III related to accelerating student learning, it is strongly encouraged that school systems plan how to use these "one time" federal funds expeditiously over the entire covered period to facilitate a more comprehensive long-term approach to learning acceleration. This process may include aligned strategies that are currently part of our District's current plans and strategies. Refer to the below list of examples:
Professional Development: High-quality instructional materials, professional development stipends, technology integration training.
Extended Instructional Time: Extended day, extended year, high-dosage tutoring, summer learning, before and after school programming.
Staffing: Small group instruction, staff retention and recruitment, after school enrichment programs, instructional coaching and leadership.
School Safety: Health Life Safety Improvements, Air Quality Improvements, Construction, and Renovations.
Technology: Educational technology to include hardware and software, connectivity, digital tools and resources.
Mental Health and Behavioral Supports: Social workers, additional related service providers, additional counseling services, teacher training and programming, wrap-around and community partnerships.
What are some of the allowable uses of the ARP ESSER III funds?
ESSER funds are designated to be used in any or all of designated areas, which include addressing learning loss, providing professional development, improving indoor air quality, providing social and emotional supports, updating and providing technology, and other areas addressing health standards such as:
-Universal and correct mask wearing
- Physical distancing and modifications necessary to achieve the same
- Hand washing and respiratory etiquette
- Facility cleaning and maintenance
- Contact tracing and isolation/quarantine
- Diagnostic and screening testing
- Vaccination efforts
- Accommodations for students with disabilities
- Coordination with local health officials
