The goal of the Madison County School System is to move toward a more ‘traditional’ school year. The 2021-2022 plan maintains consistent, thorough sanitation of our classrooms, buses, and school spaces. Madison County Schools developed the Ready, Set, Forward plan that outlines the plans to maintain high quality instruction for all students.  The plan outlines a path forward with increased capacities in lunchrooms, gyms,  auditoriums, field trip opportunities, and more visitors to our schools. 

We continue to report any positive or suspected positive case of COVID-19 to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The level of spread of COVID-19 at each school and system facility is monitored daily, and decisions are made for school sites and classrooms when at all possible to keep the maximum number of students in traditional, in-person learning rather than making broad sweeping district-wide decisions.  Should COVID-19 create a significant impact on the health and safety of our students and staff, MCSS will implement a four-tiered approach, and adjustments to the mode of learning may be implemented on a classroom, grade-level, school, or system-level if the COVID-19 spread levels warrant.   A virtual learning option is available to students in grades 4-12 through the Madison County Virtual Academy.  All other students returned to school on August 4th under level 0- traditional, in-person learning.  

Madison County Schools has invested and will continue to invest federal relief funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies in order to continuously and safely operate schools for in-person learning.  Funds have been allocated for the purchase of personal protective equipment including masks, gloves, face shields, desk shields, and cleaning and sanitation supplies.  Additionally, funds have been allocated for additional instructional staff in order to reduce class sizes to allow for greater social distancing in schools.  Keeping the staff and students of Madison County Schools safe, healthy, and in traditional in-person learning is our priority.

Madison County Schools has invested and will continue to invest federal relief funds to provide evidence-based interventions to address the academic impact of lost instructional time for students.  Funds are leveraged to provide additional instruction, intervention and support to all students including underrepresented subgroups and those impacted disproportionately by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Madison County School System plan will leverage funds to provide additional academic, social-emotional, and mental health support for all students. Funds are allocated for instructional programs and curriculum, materials and supplies, technology, and most importantly, personnel to remove barriers and address learning loss in all students.  Funds have been allocated for additional instructional staff to address learning loss in math, reading, English as a Second Language and to reduce class sizes and provide small group instruction.  Additional funds will be used to provide tutoring both during and outside of the school day.  Madison County Schools will also use federal funds to provide a rigorous K-12 summer learning and enrichment program.  These personnel investments will be used to provide additional support and targeted instruction for students.  Student data will be regularly reviewed and monitored to determine student progress and needs for targeted instruction and interventions.  Curriculum, materials and supplies, and technology will be purchased and distributed equitably among all schools, and all students will have access to the tools needed for success.  Funds are also allocated to provide fees for AP exams so that all subgroups can fully participate in advanced coursework to prepare students for college and career and to earn college credit.

In addition to instruction, funds will be allocated to meet the social-emotional and mental health needs of students.  Funds will be used to provide Mental Health First Aid Training, mental health monitoring software for students, and school based mental health therapy.

Madison County Schools does not discriminate in admission, treatment or access to programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religious preference, disability, age,gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, non-English speaking ability, or homeless status.  Students with disabilities will be provided with the same needed support and services for extracurricular activities and programs that are provided during the school day, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity.

Madison County Schools will ensure that all students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries have no barriers to equal access to and participation in the use of ESSER III funds.  Accommodations will be provided to allow access to all school products, programs and services.  The Madison County Ready, Set, Forward plan outlines all procedures to keep students, staff and the community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madison County Schools has interpreting and translation services available in all schools and buildings throughout the system to ensure all important school communications are provided in a language and format that parents will understand.  A full time Spanish interpreter is on staff and available to assist families with access to information and support services.  Additionally, CTS Language Link provided interpreters for all languages through telephone and video sessions.  Pertinent documents will be translated into a language and format that parents can access and understand.

Madison County Schools will actively monitor all federal allocations to ensure the appropriate use of funds. All financial policies and procedures are outlined in Madison County Board Policy and the Madison County Financial Procedures Manual. The Madison County Financial Procedures Manual establishes financial policies and procedures for financial operations. The local school board has a variety of requirements for overseeing the financial activity of the Madison County School System subject to the following requirements: Generally accepted accounting principles will not be diminished, compliance with state and federal laws will be maintained, internal accounting controls will allow the tracking of financial transactions to the responsible individual. All financial policies and procedures will be followed with the distribution and use of funds including regular monitoring of purchase requisitions, orders, budget reconciliation, and annual audits.  
All federal funds will be expended in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations.  Expenditures will be necessary, reasonable and allowable under the ESSER III guidance.  EDGAR requirements for inventory, maintenance of effort, and 100% time certification will be maintained.  All personnel hired with federal funds will meet federal requirements for highly qualified and certification requirements.

Madison County Schools holds two public budget hearings annually at Board meetings.  All budgets and financials are posted publicly on the Madison County Schools website.  

Madison County Schools will meaningfully engage with families and communities throughout the life of ARP ESSER and other relief funds.  Each Madison County School has a Community Advisory Group that meets regularly to discuss the needs and operations of the school and to gather input from members.  Members of these groups collectively form a school district community advisory group who provide input to the Superintendent.  Additionally, a Federal Programs Advisory Committee meets regularly to discuss the use of all federal funds in the school district.  This committee provides feedback and input into the decisions made regarding the use of federal funds in the school district.  

Stakeholders can access our Ready, Set, Forward Plan online at our district website.  Our district website also maintains information about our use of ESSER and other relief funds along with continuous improvement plans for all Title I Schools.  The Madison County Schools communication department also distributes information about our Ready, Set, Forward Plan through social media, emails, and phone messages as needed.

A survey was sent to all stakeholders to gather input into the use of ESSER III funds.  All schools administer annual surveys to parents, students, and teachers to gather input and receive feedback from stakeholders.  The data collected from these surveys is analyzed and used to adjust plans annually.