ARP ESSER funds will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent feasible, consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in person learning. We recognize that safe reopening schools and sustaining safe operations to maximize in person instruction is essential for student learning and student well-being. The District will maintain the health and safety of students, educators and other district staff. To support the safe return to in-person instruction and sustain safe operation, the district developed the “Clarke County Return to In-Person Instructional Plan”. This guide is updated regularly to meet the guidelines and requirements provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Alabama State Department of Education and state and local health officials.

The guide includes the following prevention and mitigation strategies:

1.       Health and Safety

2.       High quality instructional materials and professional development

3.       Remediation of Unfinished Learning

4.       Facility upgrades to improve air quality and ventilation in all district buildings and campuses.

The Clarke County School District will be using a portion of our ARP ESSER III funds to address deferred maintenance projects in our buildings. The ARP ESSER III 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; and the ARP ESSER funds will be used for (2) inspecting, testing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, and upgrading projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including HVAC systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, control systems, and upgrades to windows and doors. 

We will use ARP ESSER funds to identify, re-engage, and support students most likely to have experienced the impact of lost instructional time on student learning, such as:

a.       Students who have missed the majority of in-person instruction during the 2019-2020

  and 2020-2021 school years;

b.       Students who did not consistently participate in virtual instruction when offered

  during school building closures; and

c.       Students most at-risk of dropping out of school

We will continue to provide mental health services and counseling services and support and address the needs of students and adults. 

We will use 20% of its ARP ESSER funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional and academic needs. We will offer tutoring during the school day, extended day/after school programs, summer learning and enrichment programs. The district will purchase high quality instructional materials in the areas of: English Language Arts curriculum (K-12), All of the curriculums that the district plans to purchase will be used to address any forms of learning loss or the aftereffects of it.

The district is going to provide faculty, staff and PK-12 social and emotional learning support in the years ahead to address any social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students and teachers in our district. The district also plans to purchase high quality instructional materials in the core curriculum areas of Math and English Language Arts.  These materials will support teachers in their efforts to get our students on grade level. During the upcoming school year, the district also plans to complete regular communication, using all available modalities, with our teachers, students and families to ensure that safety, academic engagement, and wellness are maintained throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

The Federal Programs Director along with the ESSER Coordinator will actively monitor ESSER grant allocations and prepare program budgets, schedules, and budget amendments to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Additionally, the Federal Programs Director and ESSER Coordinator 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 reported during an open and public Board of Education meeting. The CSFO will audit expenditures prior to requesting grant reimbursements and maintain documentation necessary for audit reporting. Clarke County Board of Education will update the procedures for ensuring compliance if necessary.

Our schools maintain a focus of connecting, engaging and sustaining our families and communities.  We will continue to seek input from the public by posting the plan on our district website and providing a link for additional questions and comments.  Revisions to our plan based on input will be documented at the Board of Education Meeting during the school year. 

Individual schools and the district use various tools such as newsletters, memos, local newspapers, Facebook, district website, district app and other communication apps for frequent and consistent communication.  We will continue expanding learning opportunities after school and during the summer. Individual schools also offer many opportunities for parents and teachers to work together to establish thriving schools by engaging community organizations and families.