Introduction
The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language requiring local education agencies, such as school districts, that receive funding from the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP-ESSER) to post a plan by the school on their website of how these funds will be spent. New York has been allocated nearly $9 billion in ARP-ESSER funds, with a minimum of $8.09 billion (90%) going to local education agencies, including public schools.
The Fonda Fultonville Central School District has been allocated $3,486,116. A portion, $697,223, must be allocated to address “learning loss” through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as: summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs. It must also ensure that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups.
Pursuant to applicable legislations and corresponding regulations, school districts are also required to prioritize spending on non-recurring expenses in the following areas:
- 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.
- Supporting early childhood education.
In addition, districts must identify programs and services that will continue beyond the availability of these federal funds and how local funds will be used moving forward in order to minimize disruption to core academic and other school programs.
Reflecting on the Impact of COVID-19 on Students & Learning
The Fonda Fultonville Central School District’s commitment to excellence for all students is unwavering. The goals are ambitious and aspirational: Preparing students to compete and thrive in a knowledge-driven, global community, marked by rapid technological advancements and a heightened sense of responsibility and accountability for performance. Doing so requires a steadfast focus on evolving as a learning community. Although the efforts and endeavors of the district were complicated, to say the least, by the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain true to our Commitment to Excellence.
COVID-19 has further reinforced:
- Prioritization of skills and content students know, understand and achieve.
- Grading for learning and not for scoring.
- Culturally responsive, equitable approaches and environments to foster engagement.
- Authentic learning experiences that address multiple intelligences and learning styles.
- Integration of technology to support independent learning and solution building.
- The importance of using evidence to understand the impact of instructional decisions, making on-demand adjustments.
- Social-emotional learning and the critical nature of relationships…peers, teacher-student and staff.
- Safety is valued and fosters a further sense of normalcy.
Some key reminders to consider as you review the information below:
1) This is a multi-year plan, hence it is fluid, recognizing the changing facts and factors. Specific utilization or expenditures may change, but the major categories are not negotiable.
2) Spending will be prioritized based on non-recurring expenditures.
3) Equitability of expenditures shall be applied as much as practicable.
4) Sustainability of expenditures, meaning the capacity to use local resources beyond the availability of federal dollars, hence avoiding potential funding cliff.
Categories and proposed use of funding
1. Health and Safety/ Facility Improvements – safely returning students to in-person instruction & maximizing in-person instruction time.
Plan Summary:
Focus on providing the school community with a healthy and safe learning environment in order to support and enhance learning outcomes. Utilizing right tools and content to ensure success in the coming years.
Cleaning enhancements and supports
- PPE
- Ventilation units
- Flexible seating options
- Additional cleaners to support additional lunch rooms
Professional Development
- Social-Emotional Learning- Students and Adults
- Literacy
- Equity and Culturally Responsive Proficiency
- Restorative Practices
2. Purchase of educational technology & Operating schools and meeting the needs of students.
Plan Summary:
Enhancing learning experience and eradicating “learning loss” while adhering to EdLaw-2D compliance.
Instructional Technology
- Enhanced distance learning classroom set up.
- Classroom technology to support interactive learning.
Educational supports for staff and students
- Supplies and materials to support enhancements in learning and curriculum needs.
- Literacy support for grades preK-6.
- Math intervention support for middle and high school.
3. Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all students, including low-income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness
Plan Summary:
Preserving equity in opportunities through expansion and access.
- High School Study Skills and Credit Recovery
- MS/HS Summer School
4. Implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health and academic needs.
Plan Summary:
Learning enhancement, improve engagement, bridging learning opportunities.
- SEL, equity, mental health, restorative practices.
- Hire a school psychologist for added mental health supports.
5. Offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs
Plan Summary:
Preserving equity in opportunities through expansion and access.
- Summer Literacy for targeted elementary students to address potential “learning loss”
- MS/HS Summer School- Bridge Courses.
- Late buses at middle school and high school — study hall type “class” for students after school.