On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plans (ARP) was signed into law.  In it, the U.S. Department of Education is providing an additional $121.9 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III Fund). Glenbard District 87 is allotted a total of $6,515,710 in ESSER III (ARP). Of that amount, $6,271,705 was allocated from the Federal funds, of which the grant requires 20% or $1,254,341 be spent to address learning needs.

The remaining allocation is considered state level reservations for learning needs, summer enrichment and after-school activities in amounts of $174,291, $34,858 and $34,858, respectively.

Below is a breakdown of the available funds:

• Learning Needs (Federal allocation) – $1,254,341
• Learning Needs (State allocation) – $174,291
• Summer Enrichment (State allocation) – $34,858
• After-School (State allocation) – $34,858
• Discretionary (Unallocated balance) – $5,017,362

We are excited about full in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.  We were pleased to welcome all students back to school in August.  There have been several presentations at Board of Education meetings over the summer to describe how we provide the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services for all schools.  You may review presentations at this link.

We will follow CDC guidance regarding in-person learning and make amendments as necessary. Public input can be emailed to Seth Chapman (Assistant Superintendent of Finance), emailed to the Board of Education, or spoken during public comment at a BOE meeting.

These presentations comply with all reporting requirements of the ARP Act (Public Law 117-2), the ESSER III grant terms, conditions, and assurances (CFDA Number 84.425U, and the interim final rule established by the United States Department of Education, 86 FR 21195.

We provided the public the opportunity to provide input on the development of the plan through public comment at the board meetings in summer 2021 and will continue to do so through the budget public hearing that will take place on Sept. 13, 2021. The plan may be amended throughout the grant period, which ends September, 2023.

We will provide a semi-annual update during our public finance and committee meeting with an annual update at our Board meeting which is aligned with our budget process.

Our plan outlines efforts to support all students and evolves to support the needs of those whose educational progress has been most negatively affected by the pandemic.