WSESU ARP ESSER III GRANT AWARD IS $2,610,650.

These federal formula grant funds are awarded to supervisory unions across the state through the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Below is our copy of our plan for how WSESU will use these funds in support of our Recovery Plan (here.)

WSESU COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN FOUND HERE.

WSESU will continue to engage with the community regarding plans for ESSER III funds. Please read through this webpage for information about ESSER and to find important next steps for providing feedback on ESSER III funds.

WHAT DOES ESSER STAND FOR & WHAT ARE THESE GRANTS ALL ABOUT?

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 - Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union 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.

WHAT IS TITLE I, PART A?

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. WSESU receives Title I funding each year for our Title I schools: Hartland Elementary, Windsor School, and Weathersfield School(waiver for FY22).

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT ESSER TYPES & HOW MUCH HAS MRPS BEEN ALLOCATED?

Click the links to learn more about:

• ESSER I, also known as Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) ESSER funds. WSESU allocation: $276,130

• ESSER II, an expansion of CARES ESSER funds and with the addition of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRPSA) funds. WSESU allocation: $1,165,615

• ESSER III, also known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds. WSESU allocation: $2,610,654

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

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF ESSER I & ESSER II FUNDS AND DECISIONS?

Review this document to learn more about WSESU decisions and the status of ESSER I and ESSER II funds.

WHAT IS ‘MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION’?

A major component of how WSESU will spend ESSER III funds will depend on the feedback received on plans built by the administrative team. The administrative team will intentionally seek feedback from WSESU families of BIPOC students, students on IEPs, and English Language Learners (ELL).

HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE IN THIS PROCESS

Review this document that outlines the limitations and opportunities for how to spend ESSER III funds.

Stay tuned in July and August for more information on how you can participate in this process.

Below is a very tentative list of activities to be planned for Summer 2021, all pending SU-board approval (6.28.21):

• Mid-July: WSESU administrators are/will be conducting a needs assessment to align with district goals in relation to how to spend ESSER III funds.

• Mid-July: Review a presentation of the needs assessment and district goals in relation to how to spend ESSER III funds and provide feedback via a public survey. Both will be posted on this webpage.

• Late July: Attend a public input session, potentially a family-style dinner at one of our schools, open to all members of the WSESU community. It will also be advertised on our social media channels @mrpsvt, on this webpage, and through other WSESU communication networks such as school newsletters and community list serves.

• Early August: Attend an WSESU Board of School Directors meeting to watch a presentation from WSESU administrators. Public comment is welcome at all meetings.

• Mid-August: Attend a second public input session, similar to the one held in late July.