ARP/ESSER Relief Funds
The South Sanpete School District will be allocated $2.903 million to assist with Covid expenses and impact alleviation over the next three years. These funds come under ARP (American Rescue Plan) ESSER or the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds. These funds come with restrictions in their use and can only be allocated for specific purposes. Specifically, ESSER funds may be used to develop strategies and implement public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on reopening and operating schools to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff, as well as:
- coordinating preparedness and response efforts with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19;
- training and professional development on sanitizing and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases;
- purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the LEA’s facilities;
- repairing and improving school facilities to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards;
- improving indoor air quality;
- addressing the needs of children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth;
- developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of LEAs;
- planning for or implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students and providing technology for online learning;
- purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, connectivity, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment) for students that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including students from low-income families and children with disabilities;
- providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based full-service community schools and the hiring of counselors;
- planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental after-school programs;
- addressing learning loss; and
- other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of and services, including continuing to employ existing or hiring new LEA and school staff.
Based on these guidelines and sending out a survey to community members, we have created a list of possible uses that will move our district goals forward while meeting the requirement of the funds. This list has been created with the input of our school and district leaders, and we invite the input of our public and teachers. Please review the draft list and feel free to offer suggestions or input on this list to the Superintendent at
