ARP ESSER funds will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning. ARP ESSER funds will be used to address (1) school facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards and support student health needs; for (2) personnel to address academic impact of lost instructional time, and personnel to address the ongoing health and social-emotional concerns of our students; and for 3) evidence-based programs and strategies to address the impacts of COVID-19 on all stakeholders. Specifically, ARP ESSER funds will be used as follows:

1. Provide for physical distancing to the best possible extent;

2. Purchase modular buildings to reduce the risk of virus transmission in small classrooms so that social distance can be followed with students and staff;

3. Purchase additional classroom furniture to reduce the risk of virus transmission by moving from student tables to individual desks;

4. Expand common student areas to increase opportunities for social distancing;

5. Construct additional lunchroom, additional classroom expansion, and additional nurse station to provide for physical distancing to the best possible extent and to reduce the risk of virus transmission;

6. Purchase educational technology; 

7. Purchase software and digital log in devices to keep students safe during online learning and to provide access to educational material after school and during summer;

8. Contract technology personnel to manage network operations in both physical and virtual environments as well as ensure availability of high quality curriculum and learning resources through data integration and maintenance of user accounts;

9. Purchase additional materials for technology infrastructure including wire, service panels, server upgrade, epic bell system to enhance audio equipment, and virtual server infrastructure so that online learning can be supported due to quarantines and school closures;

10. Purchase computer equipment and hotspots  students to remove barriers to online learning due to quarantines, school closures due to COVID, after hours, and during the summer

11. Hire personnel to support efforts to maximize in-person instruction time and continuously and safely open and operate schools for in person learning;

12. Implement evidence-based programs and strategies to address the specific needs of students;

13. Offer evidence-based summer, after-school and other extended learning and enrichment programs;

14. Provide stipends to teachers and staff who work additional hours beyond the workday directly related to mitigating the spread of COVID and/or the instruction/planning of students due to quarantines and online platforms; and

15. Hire Bilingual Parent and Family Engagement Specialists to Provide training as well as support for parents to build educational partnerships between school and family.

 

 

A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted by a team of stakeholders to determine the total number of disrupted learning days due to COVID-19. Students who remained virtual and who did not consistently participate were identified as a targeted group for in school interventions, credit recovery, after school tutoring, and summer learning opportunities. These students will be invited to attend after school tutoring and summer camps. Marshall County Schools will implement and offer at the local school level high interest learning programs after school and during the summer months. During the 2021-2022 school year, Marshall County Schools will provide in school tutoring to high school students who are behind in credits due to interrupted instruction due to Covid quarantines and school closures. After school tutoring in core content areas will also be offered at the high school level to assist in closing learning loss gaps. Additionally, during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year the high school will provide ACT bootcamps to 11th and 12th grade students to help those students achieve a benchmark score on the ACT. In addition to ARP ESSER state reserve funds, funds will be budgeted and used to host after school and summer programs during the 2021-2022, 2022-2023 school years to provide after school tutoring services to students who demonstrate a consistent reading deficiency according to the Alabama Literacy Act. We will utilize our existing online subscriptions to Edgenuity, IXL, Curriculum Associates iready reading, Curriculum Associates iready math, iSpire, Reading Horizons Ellevate, Myon, and Accelerated Reader. These platforms will create learning and practice opportunities in both literacy and mathematics.

Marshall County Schools will routinely monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our educational programs. The evaluation will include identifying barriers to successful learning with particular attention given to students and/or parents students including underrepresented student subgroups (each major racial and ethnic group, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English Learners, gender, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care) and those who are particularly impacted disproportionately by COVID-19. The evaluation will include surveys, data analysis, focus groups and opportunity for input at local Board meetings. Staff development will be provided to target awareness of such barriers and to provide guidelines and strategies in addressing the various needs of our students and their families. 

Marshall County Schools will ensure equitable participation in opportunities to close academic achievement gaps for all students.  Marshall County Schools will ensure that no student, teacher or other program beneficiary will be denied participation based on gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age. Through purposeful planning and routine monitoring and evaluations, we will ensure ongoing compliance with section 427 of GEPA. A large percentage of students in the school district are from low socioeconomic families, with over 62% qualifying for free/reduced lunch at the conclusion of FY21. All students in the district will have equal access to these resources. Through coordination of funds, we will provide training to assist staff in understanding poverty and in how to adapt teaching strategies so that students in poverty and their parents are more engaged in their learning. Special education students and English Learner students will receive additional support to ensure they have access to technology and have the necessary skills to utilize this access. Funds will be used for salaries for additional teachers and other staff to provide support for all students, families and staff. Staff will participate in trainings to improve K-3 Early Literacy and ensure students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Staff will use techniques to ensure all students no matter gender, race, national origin, disability or age receive help to ensure proper grade level reading. Staff will also be trained on evidence-based strategies to improve behavior without punitive disciplinary actions. Funds will be used to increase safety and to enhance the social emotional well-being of our students. Our district will focus on awareness programs for all sub-groups including gender, race, ethnicity, gender orientation and socio-economic status, through outreach to families and community members. Funds will support bilingual parent and family engagement specialists, nurses, and social workers to support low-income families, students with special learning and social needs, and ESL population. Time will be allocated to work with these families to ensure ongoing communication between home and school via home visits, school meetings, phone calls, emails etc. We will ensure that no student or teacher will be denied participation based on gender, race, national origin, disability or age.  To ensure no barriers in accessing technology, additional chromebooks will be provided for all K-12th grade students and internet connectively will be provided with community based hotspots in underserved communities.

 

The Director of Federal Programs will actively monitor the ARP ESSER grant allocation and prepare program budgets, schedules, and budget amendments to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Additionally, the Director of Federal Programs will collect and manage all required data elements by developing systems of collaboration with relevant program directors and supervisors in the collection of required data elements. Required reporting elements will be posted on the ACBOE website for public comment. The Director of Federal Programs will audit all purchases prior to the obligation of funds to ensure funds are expended as approved in the ARP ESSER grant application. The Chief School Finance Officer will audit expenditures prior to requesting grant reimbursements and maintain documentation necessary for year-end audit reporting. Additional responsibilities include developing systems for assuring compliance with program requirements, monitoring program activities for progress and compliance, and evaluating program results against stated objectives. The Director of Federal Programs will also develop program goals in collaboration with district and school leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders. The Director of Federal Programs is paid from Title I federal funds and local funds and Marshall County Schools has elected to not use ESSER funding for the administration of ESSER grants. Upon clarification of required monitoring, auditing, and reporting elements at the state and federal levels, Marshall County Schools will update the procedures for ensuring compliance if necessary

MCBOE will strive to meaningfully engage with stakeholders and promote collaboration throughout the life of the ARP ESSER funds.  Surveys will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide feedback regarding programs.  Data collected from surveys will be used to determine ways to improve engagement and communication.  Parent nights, newsletters, MCBOE and school websites and social media accounts, workshops, positive parent phone calls, student/parent transition days, bootcamps, orientations, parent-teacher conference days, etc. will provide opportunities for MCBOE to meaningfully engage with stakeholders. Additionally, Marshall County Schools will work closely with partner organizations, including faith based to address community needs.   Stakeholders will also be notified of any public meetings that address the use of ESSER funds.