On Thursday, June 10, Watervliet district leaders held a virtual community forum to share information and gather input on a plan to apply COVID relief funding that is available to schools over the next three years.
The funds are intended to provide districts with short-term resources to assist in recovering from the effects of the pandemic on the educational process.
Watervliet CSD is slated to receive a total of $4.4 million through the Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER).
Breakdown of Funds:
- CRRSA, December 2020
$1,418,043 - ARP ESSER, March 2021
$3,026,123
20% Required Set-Aside to Address Learning Loss
It is important to note that the funds are required to be prioritized for one-time or short-term expenses in the following areas under ARP-ESSER:
- safely returning students to in-person instruction;
- maximizing in-person instruction time;
- operating schools and meeting the needs of students;
- purchasing educational technology;
- addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, including the impacts of interrupted instruction and learning loss and the impacts on low-income students, children with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness;
- implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs;
- offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; and
- supporting early childhood education.
For more information about the federal funding, please review the USDE fact sheet
For those who were unable to attend Thursday’s Community Forum, a recording of the forum is available for viewing. [WATCH RECORDING] If after watching the forum you have questions or comments, please email Assistant Superintendent Don Stevens or Superintendent Lori Caplan.
Provide Feedback via Online Survey
An online survey is also available for everyone in our community to share their input on how to prioritize these non-recurring funds to support student learning, and to address impacts that the pandemic has had on students, faculty and staff. The survey is open until this Sunday, June 13.
A finalized plan for applying COVID relief funds will be available on the district’s website by July 1, 2021.