The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is a federal formula grant managed by the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE). Non-recurring, emergency aid subgrants are being allocated by the AOE to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) by formula based on Title I, Part A allocations - Champlain Valley School District is one of those LEAs. Funds are broken down into three parts: ESSER I, ESSER II, and ESSER III. These grants are considered one-time funds.

Title I, Part A is a Consolidated Federal Program with the purpose of providing all children a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.

CVSD has two schools that are eligible for Targeted Assistance funding through Title I. Currently, those funds are being applied to provide supplemental literacy and math instruction.

Click the links to learn more about:

• ESSER I, also known as Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) ESSER funds. CVSD allocation: $568,520_

• ESSER II, an expansion of CARES ESSER funds and with the addition of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRPSA) funds. CVSD allocation: $1,942,692

• ESSER III, also known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds. CVSD allocation: $4,351,753

This U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet further describes ESSER funds and the difference between each type.

Both ESSER I & II were provided during this past school year. Their purpose was to support school systems in delivering instruction in the midst of the pandemic. The funds were primarily used to support:

• CVSD Virtual Learning Academy (K-8) and Vermont Virtual Learning Consortium (9-12) for 360 students who signed up for these options

• Additional food service and maintenance needs

• Safe and healthy schools measures (PPE, nursing, etc.)

• Extensive summer programming PreK-12 for 2021

• Adding supplemental instructional support to address the most immediate academic, social-emotional, and engagement challenges

ESSER III is designed to support what Vermont is calling “recovery” from the impact of the pandemic on school systems. Investments should “plan, prevent, or respond to the impact of Covid 19” -- VT Agency of Education

A major component of how the CVSD administrative team will invest ESSER III funds will depend on the input received on the Strategic Response Plan. The administrative team will intentionally seek input from the following stakeholders:

• Parents/caregivers

• Faculty/staff

• Families of:

  • children with disabilities

  • English learners

  • children experiencing homelessness

  • children in foster care

  • migratory students

  • children who are incarcerated

  • other underserved students

We appreciate and welcome your input and feedback on the CVSD Recovery Plan. Use this survey to share your thoughts. Stay tuned for more information on how you can participate in this process.

Response Plan & Meaningful Consultation Processes:

May-July:

• CVSD Covid Educational Response Team (CERT) is conducting a needs assessment and developing a response plan to align with district goals and supplemented with ESSER III funds. The plan was submitted on May 28, and we received state approval.

April-May:

• The CVSD administrative team presented the planning process to the school board. Click on this link to view the presentation slides

May-June: CVSD sought input on the planning process through:

• Thoughtexchange survey for CVSD Faculty/Staff

• Parent/Caregiver & Student surveys

In addition to the survey, CVSD will continue to develop opportunities to engage in this process.