ARP ESSER Implementation Plan

ARP ESSER FUND - Spending Categories

The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, were enacted on March 11, 2021. ARP ESSER funds provides a total of nearly $122 billion to States and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

Uinta County School District #1 (UCSD #1) has been allocated $7,929,548.49 in ARP ESSER (ESSER III) funds to sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our students. These funds are in addition to ESSER II ($3.5 million) funds that are currently being allocated according to state and federal guidelines.

The impact of COVID is far reaching and dramatic. UCSD #1 has met the challenges of the pandemic as evident in our successful 2020-21 school year with in person instruction and a full complement of activities and opportunity for students. UCSD #1 continues in person instruction and safe operation of school as we address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our students and staff during the 2021-22 school year.

Guidance on the use of ARP funds identifies that 20% of the funds (~$1.6 million dollars) must be set aside to address learning loss due to COVID. This set aside can be used for implementation of evidence-based interventions for the academic needs of underrepresented students that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The rest of the ARP funds can be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, ARP funds may be used to develop strategies on opening and operating schools to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. This includes activities that are necessary to maintain operation of and continuity of services, including continuing to employ existing or hiring new staff. LINK to U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP ESSER): https://drive.google.com/file/d/12OTFI7FCUkGV5L__hY0zDVBt45zeXw9C/view?usp=sharing

The ARP ESSER grant requires that UCSD #1 engages in "meaningful consultation" with stakeholders to seek input in how these federal funds should be spent. These funds are unprecedented and can be transformative for our students and staff. UCSD #1 will be asking for stakeholder (staff, parents/guardians, students, community members, and community partners) input and direction in moving forward with the use of the ARP ESSER funds. We will use a google form to solicit input and report progress on plan development at a Public Forum on January 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

APPROVED SPENDING CATEGORY	DESCRIPTION OF CATEGORY
Employing Existing or Hiring New Staff	Activities necessary to maintain operation and continuation of services, including continuing to employ, retain, and support, existing staff. Hiring new school staff when needed.
Summer School & Afterschool Programs	Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental after-school programs
Preparedness and Response	Coordinating and improving preparedness and response efforts with State and local health departments to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
Staff Training on Cleaning and Prevention	Provide training and professional development for school staff on sanitizing and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases.
Cleaning supplies and PPE	Purchase supplies to sanitize and clean school facilities. Includes purchasing PPE for students and staff.
School Facility Repairs and Improvements	Facility repairs and improvements to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards
Addressing Needs of Students	Address unique needs of students from low-income families, students with disabilities, English language learners, racial and ethnic minorities, homeless students, and students in foster care.
Improving indoor air quality	Improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, filtering, and purification.
Long-Term Closures Preparation	Ensure meals to eligible students, provide technology for online learning, and meet the requirements of IDEA.
Purchasing Educational Technology	Provides hardware, software, connectivity for students, families, and staff to close the learning gap or learning loss. Includes professional development for educators.
Mental Health Services and Supports	To develop strategies to meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students most impacted by the pandemic.
Addressing Learning Loss	Academic strategies for students who are below grade level due to lost instruction time, challenges of on-line learning, poor attendance, or other issues related to COVID-19.
Other Activities as Needed	Other activities that are necessary to maintain operation of and continuity of and services with the local school district.

Support Documentation Links:

ARP ESSER Implementation Plan

ARP ESSER Survey Results

ARP ESSER: Survey Spending Suggestions

ARP ESSER III Allocations

American Rescue Plan Comparison (ESSER, ESSER II, & ESSER III)

ARP ESSER DISTRICT ALLOCATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS REVIEW

ARP ESSER Grant Guidance - WDE