ESSER Federal Grants Committee

In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act dedicated $13.2 billion for K-12 schools through ESSER I. The intent and purpose of ESSER I funding are to provide emergency relief funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. ESSER I funds can be used to cover expenses incurred from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2022.

The Paradise Valley Unified School District applied to receive its ESSER I allocation in June 2020. PVSchools received $4,513,659.06. This funding was used to purchase sanitizing supplies for all sites and to increase funding for the PVOnline model to support students moving to an online model for learning. These efforts were made to provide continuity of academic services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) was signed into law. CRRSA dedicated an additional $54.3 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. This grant is known as ESSER II. The Arizona Department of Education released the grant application in April 2021, and PVSchools ESSER II allocation was $18,581,882,84. ESSER II funds are being used to cover expenses incurred from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2023.

PVSchools has been using ESSER II funds to offer free extended learning opportunities during the school year as well as providing free summer school. ESSER funding also paid for Hotspots in an effort to give all students the same opportunity during remote learning. All PV schools were fitted with outside handwashing stations and water bottle filling stations. Additional custodial workers were hired to work throughout the day sanitizing surface areas such as door handles, classrooms, bathrooms, and common areas.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) signed into law on March 11, 2021 provided nearly $122 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief (ESSER) Fund. This grant is known as ESSER III. ARP ESSER funds are provided to State educational agencies in the same proportion as each State received under Title Ia of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in fiscal year (FY) 2020. The intent and purpose of ESSER III funding are to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus on students.

PVSchools will apply to receive its allocation of ESSER III funds before November 2021, based on feedback from stakeholder groups. PVSchools ESSER III allocation is $41,495,828.58. These funds will be used to address the impact COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on our schools. Based on guidance from ADE, the PVSchools plan for ESSER III funds will focus on evidence-based practices to support student needs in the areas of academics and social-emotional wellness. Funds will be set aside to provide high-quality instruction, create more time for learning, and provide student enrichment experiences to support academic acceleration.

PVSchools will utilize ESSER III funds to address issues that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PVSchools is required by statute to set aside 20 percent of its total ESSER III allocation to address learning loss. ESSER III funds can be used to cover expenses incurred from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2024.