QUAPAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARP/ESSER III 

USE Of FUNDS PLAN

2021-22

August 5, 2021

Introduction 

The Quapaw Public Schools is committed to implementing prevention and mitigation strategies, addressing the academic impact of lost learning time, and responding to all students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs from the Covid pandemic. 

This plan was developed through consultation with stakeholders, including students, parents/guardians, families, teachers, board members, school staff, district administrators, principals, special education director, the federal programs director, the alternative education director, the district homeless liaison, the district foster care liaison, the district Indian education project director, and the Johnson O’Malley contact. A Tribal representative from the Quapaw Nation was also involved in the consultation and collaboration. The district engages in ongoing consultation and collaboration with our local tribes. 

Quapaw Public Schools will periodically, but not less than every six months, seek public input and consultation to review and, as appropriate, revise the plan that was developed. 

Following the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP)/Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) plan guidance provided by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), this plan was initially approved and adopted by the Quapaw Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday, August 12, 2021. After approval and adoption, the plan was posted on the district’s website on August 13, 2021. 

ARP/ESSER III Use of Funds 

Quapaw Public Schools received an ARP/ESSER III (795) allocation of $1,266,088.07. These funds will be leveraged in addition to the remaining CRRSA/ESSER II (793) funds to provide the students in the district with a safe in-person learning environment. The district expended all of its allocated CARES/ESSER I (788) during fiscal year 2021. QPS will utilize ARP/ESSER III (795) funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies, address the academic impact of lost learning time, and respond to all students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. Any remaining funds will be utilized consistent with section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act. QPS will also utilize at least 20% of ARP/ESSER III (795) funds to mitigate learning loss and accelerate learning. The total amount of the 20% set-aside will be at least $253,217.60 of the district’s $1,266,088.07 total ARP/ESSER III (795) allocation. All funds will be utilized for reasonable and necessary expenditures that prevent, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The following expenditure plan is current as of Wednesday, August 4, 2021. However, please be aware that this plan is subject to change as needs are monitored and reassessed throughout the current school year. 

The district anticipates utilizing funds in the following ways to implement prevention and mitigation strategies:

Quapaw Public Schools (QPS) plans to utilize ARP/ESSER III (795) funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on operating schools for in-person learning. 

HVAC

The district intends to replace HVAC units across the district to improve indoor air quality in school facilities. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

Projected Cost: $130,000.

Buses

The district intends to purchase additional yellow route buses to promote social distancing and improve indoor air quality. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

Projected Cost: $180,000

Windows

The district intends to replace windows across the district to improve indoor air quality in school facilities.  This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Projected Cost: $75,000

Doors

The district intends to replace several doors across the district to improve indoor air quality in school facilities. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Projected Cost: $75,000

Roof Repair

The district intends to improve roofs across the district to promote social distancing and improve indoor air quality. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Projected Cost: $50,000

Flooring

The district intends to improve flooring across the district to promote social distancing and improve indoor air quality. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Projected Cost: $50,000

Technology

The district intends to purchase technology to promote social distancing and improve one-to-one student and staff connectivity. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Technology costs include but are not limited to: 

Chromebooks 

Laptops
PCs 

Educational Software
Printers
Headsets
Smartboards
Updated Communication/Intercom Systems 

Projected Cost: $100,000

Technology Facilitator/Support

The district intends to employ a staff member in the district technology department through the fiscal year 2024. The Technology Director/District Device Manager position will assist in the development and implementation of procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts by the district to logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The District will also use BOLT Technology for technology support.  This staff member and company will be responsible for managing the devices purchased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow the district to be better prepared in its COVID-19 response procedures and systems. All students in the district will benefit from this positional and technical support. 

Projected Cost: $200,000

The district intends to utilize funds for construction projects that will flow through the district Building Fund. This will allow the district to leverage additional funds for projects that promote social distancing, improve indoor air quality, reduce risk of virus transmission, reduce exposure to environmental health hazards, and support student health needs. This prevention and mitigation strategy is a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this strategy will allow the district to better prepare for and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Addressing the Academic Impact of Lost Learning Time 

(20% Set-Aside) 

Quapaw Public Schools plans to utilize ARP/ESSER III (795) funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions. QPS ensures that the chosen interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)) (which include each major racial and ethnic group; economically disadvantaged students as compared to students who are not economically disadvantaged; children with disabilities as compared to children without disabilities; English proficiency status; gender; and migrant status), students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care. The total amount of the 20% set-aside will be at least $253,217.60 of the district’s $1,266,088.07 total ARP/ESSER III (795) allocation. 

The following have been utilized as resources for evidence-based interventions/practices: 

·      The American School Counselor Association

·      National Library of Medicine

·      ERIC

·      National Regional Educational Laboratory

Intervention will include the implementation of evidence-based Tier 1 instruction, Tier 2 evidence-based support for unfinished learning, and Tier 3 tutoring, if necessary. 

The district anticipates utilizing funds in the following ways to address the academic impact of lost instructional time: 

Alternative Teacher

The district intends to employ a full-time alternative teacher through the fiscal year 2024 to help bridge the gap of learning loss of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a needed academic and research-based intervention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting learning loss. 

Projected Cost: $150,000

School Nurse

The district intends to employ a full-time nurse (contract through Community Health Center of SE Kansas) through the fiscal year 2024 to help bridge the gap of learning loss of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a needed academic and emotional research-based intervention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting learning loss.   Research from the National Library of Medicine concludes that comprehensive school nursing services contributed positively to the academic performance of students. In addition, it can be suggested that effective school nursing services should include services such as acute-chronic disease treatment, first aid, health screening, health improvement-protection, health education, guidance and counseling and case management. 

Projected Cost: $115,000.

Elementary School Counselor

The district intends to employ a full-time elementary school counselor through the fiscal year 2024 to help bridge the gap of learning loss of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a needed academic and emotional research-based intervention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting learning loss.  This program will be part of the Counselor grant through the State.  Research shows the implementation of school counseling program has a positive impact on student achievement.  Numerous studies demonstrate the value of school counseling for students in the domains of academic development, college and career readiness and social/ emotional development. Results of research about the effectiveness of school counseling can be found at schoolcounselor.org/effectiveness.  

Projected Cost: $90,000.

Summer School Program

The district intends to continue a summer school program through the fiscal year 2024 to help bridge the gap of learning loss of students in the elementary and middle school (PreK-8) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a needed academic and research-based intervention.  

Projected Cost: $50,000

Response to the Academic, Social, Emotional, & Mental Health Needs of All Students: 

Quapaw Public Schools (QPS) plans to utilize ARP/ESSER III (795) funds to ensure the interventions implemented will respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students from low-income families, students of color, English Learners (ELs), children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. 

Use of Remaining Funds: 

Quapaw Public Schools (QPS) plans to utilize any remaining ARP/ESSER III (795) funds consistent with section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act. 

*REMINDER: This plan is subject to change as needs are monitored and reassessed throughout the current school year.