ESSER
In 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) Fund. Each states’ funding is based on the same proportion share that they receive under the ESEA, Title-I, Part A. While other COVID related funding has been available to district’s, the three stimulus bills, which represents the majority of the funding, include:
- The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020 and provided approximately $1.157 billion to Texas school districts.
- The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund, passed in December 2020, the under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. ESSER II is expected to provide $4.977 billion to Texas school districts.
- The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER or ESSER III) Fund was passed in March 2021, under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. ESSER III is expected to provide approximately $11.177 billion to Texas school districts.
While the main focus of ESSER I was for preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19; ESSER II and ESSER III focuses on school districts reopening and operating safely, as well as, addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students.
Groesbeck ISD’s Use of Funds
ESSER and ESSER II Planned Use of Funds
07/19/2021: Use of ESSER II and ESSER III Funds: The purchase of Dell Chromebooks will complete to refurbish our old Chromebooks as well as will provide some backup Chromebooks to have while repairs are being made. I am requesting approval to spend $390,285 on this Chromebook order. Item to note on this expense is that the full amount is coming from federal revenue and not from local funds. These Chromebooks are in stock, and we should receive them soon after the order is placed. These will be for students in grades PK-5.
Purchase of Desktop Computers for teachers in the amount of $155,523.65.
Approval will authorize the Superintendent to expend $545,808.65 for Chromebooks and OptiPlex desktop computers purchase from Dell Technologies.
06/21/2021: Groesbeck ISD 2021-2022 ESSA Consolidated Grant Planned Use of Funds
Title 1, Part A $480,197
Groesbeck ISD serves H.O. Whitehurst Elementary, Enge-Washington Intermediate, and Groesbeck Middle School with Title 1, Part A funds. Each campus has a school wide program meaning that all students are included. Groesbeck High School is not served by Title 1, Part A funds. The decision was made to not serve High School because of the limited amount of the funds; dividing the allocation among the four campuses would not provide adequate funding on any campus.
These funds are designed to support struggling students. In Groesbeck, Title 1, Part A funds pay the salaries of the Intervention Teachers on the Whitehurst and Enge Campuses and one of the Intervention Teachers on the Middle School Campus. The salaries of the aides for prekindergarten are also paid with Title 1, Part A. Each campus. Each of the three served campuses receives a designated amount for the purchase of supplemental support materials. Professional development is also provided with these monies.
Title 1, Part C, Migrant $10,137
Groesbeck ISD joins the Region 12 Shared Service Arrangement for the use of Migrant funds. The amount of funds received by GISD is too small to allow for an independent district program. Region 12 provides services to Groesbeck ISD in the identification of migrant students and then services to the migrant services attending Groesbeck ISD.
Title 2, Part A $60,620
Groesbeck ISD serves all campuses with Title 2, Part A funds. These monies provide professional development including both programs and speakers that are brought in to Groesbeck and conferences and workshops that Groesbeck ISD teachers and leaders attend in other locations. Groesbeck ISD has chosen to focus on the tools and strategies from lead4ward. Title 2, Part A funds are also used for recruiting activities such as job fairs.
Title 3, Part A English Learners $8,440
Groesbeck ISD joins the Region 12 Shared Service Arrangement because the amount of funds received do not allow for a district program. Region 12 provides services to our students and teachers to support the acquisition of English by non-English speakers.
Title 4, Part A $36,300
Groesbeck ISD uses Title 4, Part A funds to provide a well-rounded education to students, support a safe and drug-free environment, and to provide supplemental technology resources. These monies are used to provide a stipend to the teachers who teach an OnRamps course. They also pay the fee for the Dan Korem presentations for students and teachers on the methods of identifying students who could harm others and knowing safe ways to interact and get help. School safety supplies are also purchased with these resources. Supplemental technology resources are also purchased.
Groesbeck ISD Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century 2021-2022 Perkins Planned Use of Funds
Planning Amount $18,672
This grant specifically supports Career and Technical Education; it is more commonly known as the Perkins Grant. The latest reauthorization changed the name.
Groesbeck ISD uses these funds to provide educational materials for teachers and students. The bulk of the funds purchase the iCEV materials that include electronic teacher lessons and supports and student class materials. All CTE programs of study are supported by iCEV materials. The remaining funds provide program specific equipment. These funds must meet specific criteria that support the pathway from high school to college and career and help students learn the aspects of the various industries.
12/14/2020: The District received $361,723 through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant from TEA. The ESSER grant is a separate federal grant program, and is not Title I, Part A funds. The grant period for the ESSER grant is May 15, 2020, through June 30, 2021. Approval to expend $361,723 to purchase Dell Chromebooks, through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant.