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ESSER
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As the Flagstaff Unified School District continues to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been fortunate to receive federal funds to support our relief, preparation, and recovery efforts and to invest in resources needed to address students’ learning and social emotional needs, improve school facilities and infrastructure to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus, and purchase safety equipment and educational technology. Previous allocations of these federal Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief or ESSER funds have been budgeted and expended for these purposes.
In August 2020, FUSD's application for federal Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER I) grant funds, made available by the CARES Act, was approved in the amount of $1.527 million to support relief, preparation, and recovery efforts related to COVID-19. FUSD has submitted reimbursements for budgeted items and funds were expended through September 2021.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was enacted by Congress on December 27, 2020. These ESSER II funds can be used to support relief, preparation, and recovery efforts similar to ESSER I, and also address learning loss, improve school facilities and infrastructure to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus, and purchase educational technology. FUSD’s allocation, in the amount of $6.137 million is available through September 2023. The grant application and budget have been approved.
The American Rescue Plan was enacted on March 11, 2021, which allocated federal ESSER III funds to K-12 schools to be expended for relief and recovery purposes that are available for use until September 2024. FUSD’s allocation is $13.7 million.
Additional requirements of the grant included:
- Setting aside at least 20% of the funds to address learning loss using evidence-based academic, social and emotional learning strategies for vulnerable populations of students
- Posting of a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
- Meaningful consultation with stakeholders in the development of the plan and budget
FUSD engaged stakeholders in a variety of ways to gather the feedback needed to finalize the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan and the ESSER III budget in August before submitting FUSD’s application for approval. The Arizona Department of Education approved FUSD’s ESSER III budget on October 5, 2021.