Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations & American Rescue Plan Acts Report
Background
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act on March 27, 2020, and is now further funded under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act on December 27, 2020 and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act on March 11, 2021. With the ESSER Fund, the U.S. Department of Education awarded grants to New York State for the purpose of providing local school districts that receive funds under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with emergency relief funds to address the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the United States.
Under CRRSA, the Goshen Central School District has received $2,466,338.00 (ESSER2) and $288,530.00 (GEER2), which it has until September 30, 2023 to obligate funds. Under ARP, the Goshen Central School District has received $2,022,214.00 (ESSER-Part 2), which it has until September 30, 2024 to obligate funds. This is the third round of ESSER funding and requires that $404,443.00 (20%) is utilized to address learning loss as a result of interruptions to the education process due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Budget
Our budget will be structured to allow for flexibility to prioritize funding of the most pressing needs throughout the grant period(s). The proposed budget seeks to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, including:
- evidence-based, summer programs and summer learning;
- evidence-based, supplemental after school programs;
- evidence-based, extended school year programs;
- planning activities during long-term closures, including providing technology for online learning that supports educational interaction between students and teachers;
- providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based interventions;
- other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation and continuity of services, including continuing to employ existing or hiring of new staff.
In addition, our proposed budget seeks to support training and infrastructure needs, due to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, including:
- coordinating preparedness and response efforts with state, local public health departments to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19;
- training and professional development on sanitizing and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases;
purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean our facilities; - repairing and improving school facilities to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards;
- improving indoor air quality;
- planning for or implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students;
- other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation and continuity of services, including continuing to employ existing or hiring of new staff.
Stakeholder Input
The Goshen Central School District budget development process is one that includes a great deal of stakeholder input. Members of our school community met virtually on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 4:30pm with members of the Board of Education and district administration to provide input and feedback regarding the development of the plan and allocation of CRRSA and ARP funds over the next several years.
Stakeholder Input / Recommendations for District Expenditures and / or Allocations
Safely returning students to in-person instruction
- Rising need evident as students transition to five day/week instruction, Staffing needs may exist (x2)
- Collaboration with other, outside agencies to mitigate needs mentioned above
- Large kindergarten classes may need full time support to provide safe environment
- Appropriately sized PPE for young students is a necessity (cloth masks)
- Provide additional assistance in area of nursing
- Provide additional assistance in B&G to allow for proper sanitation of classrooms and other areas
Maximizing in-person instruction
Operating schools and meeting the needs of students
- Lack of materials appropriate for lower level learners
- Need for common plan time to discuss multiple instructional strategies
- MTSS (Jim Wright)
- Instructional models offered for those students that have been quarantined
Purchase of educational technology
- Edvistas to be purchased for the purpose of data collection and analysis
Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all students, including low-income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness
Implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health and academic needs
- Address faculty/staff needs in this area
- PD
- Increase in services provided to students in need as they progress through the school year
- Long-term focus on SEL throughout the District
Offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs
- Before school / after school programs to “close the gap” for students that have been identified as at risk of not achieving standards
Supporting early childhood education
- Large class sizes are difficult to manage
- Students are moving up and are found to be significantly below grade level
- PD
