Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This is the third federal stimulus funding act in response to COVID-19 following the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act.
The District is required to complete an expenditure plan to demonstrate how it will utilize ESSER III funds to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as the opportunity gaps in existence before, and as a result of, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff is proposing to utilize 20% of these monies for expanded summer school opportunities at PAUSD for the summer of 2022 and retroactively for the summer of 2021. The balance will go towards other activities necessary to maintain the operation and continuity of services for students, such as enhanced indoor air quality through building heating, ventilation and, air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades and improved ventilation across all District facilities.
The Board adopted the ESSER III expenditure plan at the October 19, 2021 Board meeting.