Use of funds
District 301 received funding from the federal government to assist with COVID-19 relief. These funds are allocated to the states, and in Illinois, distributed through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). “ESSER” is short for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. It was established as part of the CARES Act passed in 2020 to address the impact of COVID-19. The district will use its ESSER funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The four areas of focus are: academic and student supports, capital improvements, health and safety, and social emotional support.
Each district that receives ARP ESSER funds must also explain the extent to which and how the funds will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the extent practicable, consistent with CDC guidance; how the district will use the funds it reserves under Section2001 (e) (1) of the ARP Act to address the academic impact of lost instructional time; how the district will use its remaining ARP ESSER funds; how the district will ensure the interventions it implements will respond to the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 2001(i) of the ARP Act requires a Local Education Agency (LEA) that receives ARP ESSER funds to develop and make publicly available on its website, within 30 days after receiving its allocation, a plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services.
Central 301’s Return to School Plan was updated on Aug 3, 2021.
ESSER funds use highlights :
- Supplemental researched instructional materials
- Technology, hotspots, and software
- Summer programming
- Expanding STEM learning opportunities
- Addressing unfinished learning
- MTSS/Interventions
- Transportation McKinney Vento
- Construction and facilities improvement projects consistent with CDC recommendations (ie. additional classrooms mobiles, transportation facility, cafeteria
- Sustaining safe operation of schools, safety equipment, disinfectants, and PPE materials
District 301 Allocation
CARES ACT: ESSER I | CRSA: ESSER II | ARP: ESSER III | |
$280,090 | $1,042,469 | $2,588,208 | |
Start Date | March 13, 2020 | ||
End Date | September 30, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2024 |
ESSER Fact Sheets (Click on the links below):
ESSER I– Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020
ESSER II– Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in December 2020
ESSER III– American Rescue Plan (ARP) in March 2021
*Funds can only be used on COVID-related expenses.
Use of Funds
The district will use the information below in the Use of ARP ESSER Funds Plan and gain public input to collectively guide how funds will be used to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs as well as addressing learning loss and those students most impacted by COVID-19. The Central 301 Pathway to Re-open Schools was shared on August 3, 2021 at the Board of Education regular meeting, which included a public open forum for comments and feedback surveyed from parents. The district prepared for full-in person learning and planned for use of ESSER funds to ensure opportunity to meet the students’ needs needs. Through various meaningful consultations with stakeholders in various formats including in-person, virtual townhall meetings, and responding to surveys regarding return to in-person learning the district gained public input. Feedback outlined in the plan focused on academic and student supports, capital improvements, health and safety, and social emotional support.
If you would like to submit comments regarding the plan, please click this link.
Actual Expenditures:
Area | Item | Cost |
Loss of Learning | Summer School | $45,213 |
Loss of Learning | Remote Teaching | $179,275 |
Loss of learning | Credit Recovery | $49,865 |
Loss of Learning | Long Term Subs | $314,485 |
Loss of Learning | MTSS Coordinator | $75,970 |
Enrichment | Professional Development | $10,000 |
Use of Funds- Capacity | Mobile Classrooms | $742,856 |
Use of Funds- Capacity | Cafeteria Expansions | $1,049,359 |
Enrichment | Stem Materials and Program | $112,569 |