What are ESSER funds?
ESSER I
On March 27, 2020, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund. The Department awarded these grants ¬to State educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation. ESSER Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2019.
ESSER II
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, 2021, was signed into law on December 27, 2020, and provided an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund. ESSER II Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020.
ARP ESSER
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. It was an unprecedented $1.9 trillion package of assistance measures, including $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are provided to SEAs and LEAs to help safely reopen and sustain the same operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students. ARP ESSER Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020.
ESSER III Use of Funds Update 4/11/23
Reviewed on December 22nd, 2023
We are seeking to reallocate these funds in the following manner.
Machias Public Schools are applying for $1,774,107.22 of these funds. We will use $1,067,800.00 for the improvement of RMG and MMHS facilities and transportation systems to promote health and safety. $493, 941.82 will be use to address learning loss through payment for additional staff, additional materials and after school and summer programming. Upgrades to technology will utilize $35,000.00 of the funding. $132,908.53 will be used to purchase additional PPE, cleaning supplies, maintenance equipment, as well as pay for additional hours of kitchen and custodial staff. The school nurse and a grant manager will be funded through these funds as well. $45,000.00 was used to purchase a van to facilitate student transportation and meal delivery during school shut downs.
Community input regarding this plan would be greatly appreciated.
ARP Esser III Input Requested
Machias Public Schools, MMHS & RMG, are requesting input from the public on the following plan for using the most recent grant funds available from the federal government to address the impact of covid-19 on children's health, safety and education (ARP ESSER III).
Machias Public Schools are applying for $1,774,107.22 of these funds. We will use $1,108,000.00 for the improvement of RMG and MMHS facilities and transportation systems to promote health and safety. $545,500.00 will be used to address learning loss through payment for additional staff, additional materials, and after school and summer programming. Upgrades to technology will utilize $45,000 of the funding, and the remaining $75,607.22 will be used to purchase additional PPE, cleaning supplies, maintenance equipment, as well as to pay for additional hours for kitchen and custodial staff.
If you wish to comment on this plan, please feel free to contact Nicole Case (255-3812 or ncase@mmhsbulldogs.org) or Sue Dow (255-3411 or sdow@rmges.org). Community input regarding this plan would be greatly appreciated.
September 28, 2021
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