District Seeks Input on How to Spend ESSER Funds
Earlier this week, Salt Lake City School District families and employees received a survey link via email. The purpose of this survey is to solicit input about spending the latest allocation of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP-ESSER).
The survey will be open from July 19 through August 2 and will inform the discussion at the Board of Education meeting on August 3, 2021. The Salt Lake City School District will receive $39,968,811 from the federal government as part of ARP-ESSER. These funds must be used over the next three school years, and at least 20% of the funding must be used to support student learning impacted by the pandemic. Because this is one-time funding, using these funds towards things like increasing employee salaries or creating ongoing programs and positions may not be sustainable after the program funding ends.
Stakeholders have been asked to provide feedback regarding six possible areas where funds could have the greatest impact.
- Supporting students with unfinished learning
- Purchasing educational technology
- Providing mental health services and supports
- Implementing activities related to summer learning and afterschool programs
- Facility repairs and improvements to help schools reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure
- Project upgrades to improve air quality in school facilities
Employees and parents/guardians who have not received the survey should check their inbox or spam folder for an email from noreply@qemailserver.com. Those who did not receive the survey can contact Michelle.Amiot@slcschools.org.