School district plans for relief funding

Federal funding through the American Relief Plan includes $122 billion to help educators keep schools open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and address the impact that pandemic conditions have had on the nation’s students.

Crook County School District (CCSD) has completed its implementation plan for the $3.1 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds it expects to receive. According to Superintendent Mark Broderson, it was compiled using survey results from staff, students, parents and stakeholders that specified the concerns they felt were most important.

“The template placed on the district website lays the groundwork for how CCSD plans to utilize the funds, but it is a fluid document that can be changed and adapted as we move forward,” says Broderson. 

“A survey was used to collect information and the items that were identified were given priority. Just because an item has been listed, is not a guarantee the district will use those funds for that specific item.”  

Of that $3.1 million, at least 20% must be set aside to address the academic impact of learning loss. For CCSD, this portion of the budget totals just under $2 million.

The district intends to address this in several ways, including through the provision of an MTSS Coordinator, who will provide a support process for students experiencing difficulties in the classroom.

“Our teachers are already working extremely hard to provide learning environments for students,” states the plan. “If the district hired a person to do the research for the MTSS team, identifying intervention strategies and completing the paperwork, it would assist teachers by taking these tasks off their plate.”

The plan would also include tracking software, the assistance of a mental health professional, a social and emotional health curriculum and a staff member to support an alternative program for at-risk students tied to work-related job experience while completing classes.

The plan also identifies opportunities for extended learning, including “Red Friday Tutors” to be on site on Fridays, enhancement of the “Purple Friday” enrichment and intervention program and additional funding for after-school programs. Summer school could also be offered at the secondary level and could be made available for more days with additional funding.

The plan suggests setting aside funding for bus transportation for students on Fridays, which is currently a parental responsibility. This would be something for which each building would work out the details for their individual community. 

Additionally, the plan budgets funds for each school to use as they see fit for their unique circumstances, such as additional support staff.

According to the plan, “The remaining funds will be used to support staff, students and communities with future pandemic conditions and support the continued education of students and address community challenges as they arise.”

This includes new equipment to increase the efficiency of the lunch program in each community, because CCSD has experienced an increase in the number of students participating. To meet demands, the plan budgets for such items as combination ovens, meat slicers and additional trays and utensils.

“The message from CCSD’s Board of Trustees is to do everything we can to keep students engaged in on-campus learning with a highly trained staff. The Crook County School District will use the identified funds to continue to promote a healthy and safe learning environment for students to learn and teachers to provide instruction,” states the plan.

“Our method for keeping our doors open for students is designed to be fluid and able to adjust as the environment changes.”

The plan in its entirety can be viewed on the crook1.com website.