ESSER III

ESSER Funds Plan

​This plan will be updated continually through the grant period depending on routine evaluations.

Definition

The ARP ESSER III The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund provides states and school districts help to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s students.

 Purpose

The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund provides states and school districts help to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the  impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s students.

Safe Return to In-person instruction and continuity of services

The Bond County CUSD #2 Return to Learn Plan is aligned with the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). School strategies in this plan may be removed based upon local conditions, levels of community transmission (low, moderate, substantial, and high), local vaccine coverage, and consultation with local public health officials to determine the prevention strategies needed. School officials will communicate any changes in plans to staff matters, students, and parents through the district communication platforms. 

 The full Return to Learn Plan can be found on the Bond County CUSD #2 Website.

 It includes a description of how Bond County Unit #2 will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and explain the extent to which it has adopted policies, provide a description of policies and each of the prevention and mitigation strategies that will be implemented for the safety of all staff and students.

Various ESSER Funds have been utilized to purchase additional PPE supplies and cleaning equipment to aid the district in fighting off the spread of COVID-19. 

 Community Input in regard to ESSER III Funds

Our monthly board meetings have agenda items for public comment.  Community members are able to attend monthly meetings to share their concerns, ideas, etc. Surveys will be conducted with parents, students, and staff to collect information as needed regarding COVID related issues through the use of Thought Exchange. 

 Funds

Bond County Unit #2 will engage in consultation with students, families, school administrators, teachers, support staff, and local unions. 

 Funds will address student learning loss from the pandemic, curriculum, school ventilation and sanitation.

  • Evidence based curriculum and related professional development to address learning loss and accelerate early literacy skills

  • District wide online learning curriculum

  • Additional teachers for classroom reduction (student to teacher ratio for physical distancing

  • Social and emotional learning programs

  • Supplies to help district clean effectively

  • Bringing district into compliance with fire and safety codes to create more space 

Learning Loss

Bond County CUSD #2 will allocate no less than 20% of its ESSER funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions.  Interventions will be based on students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19.

 Additional Funds

All activities are approvable and are listed in Section 18003(d) of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Section 313(d) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, and Section 2001(e) of the ARP Act that an LEA may support with ESSER funds.

 

Reporting 

Bond County Unit #2 will conduct all necessary reporting to ISBE semi-annually. The district will report on funds spent and provide detail on specific interventions addressed. Examples are Learning renewal strategies, after-school and summer school activities, SEL and mental health activities, and other interventions utilized. 

 

Maintenance of Equity 

Bond County Unit #2 will not disproportionately reduce state and local per-pupil funding. The District will also not reduce the number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) staff per pupil.

 

Use of ESSER III Funds

The district has utilized public, staff, and student input to determine the next step with the ESSER III funding. Through this process the district has added multiple programs and positions to help with academic learning loss and social/emotional needs of our student body. In this process the district has added three full time instructional coaches ($379,000 in salary over the course of two years), one reading interventionist ($93,000 over two years), one social worker ($93,000 over two years) and access to Gaggle therapy services ($50,000). In addition to these positions the district has provided after school and summer tutoring services to students that have been impacted by the learning loss due to pandemic. 

The district has spent $1,862,633 in order to provide additional classroom space to accommodate the previously mentioned staff additions. This space will also allow for smaller class sizes and opportunities for students to receive the attention they need to combat both learning loss and social/emotional issues.