NEISD & ESSER III
What is ESSER III?
The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (“ARP ESSER”) Fund, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Act of 2021, provides nearly $122 billion to States to support the Nation’s schools in safely reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic.
North East ISD has applied for a grant under this fund, and our efforts to identify the needs of our students and school community are shared below.
What is the purpose of ESSER III?
NEISD can use ESSER III funds for a wide variety of purposes to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools.
NEISD must spend at least 20% of its ESSER III funds for the following:
- Addressing learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs
- Ensuring that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs
The other 80% may be spent in a variety of other ways to help support the safe opening of schools and continuity of learning.
Allocation Amounts
TEA initially released two-thirds of the total allocation to Texas School Districts. The remaining one-third was made available after the USDE approved the state's spending plan.
Initial Allocation (2/3): $78,068,151
Remaining Allocation (1/3): $39,071,906
North East ISD Total Allocation: $117,140,057
How did the District engage with stakeholders?
NEISD conducted focus group meetings and a community survey to gather input from stakeholders during the development of the ESSER III Use of Funds plan. The focus group meetings were held with principals, teachers, teacher organizations, instructional staff, District leadership, and the District Safety and Security Committee. The community survey was open from June 14-22, 2021 and was completed by more than 11,000 respondents representing parents, students, teachers, school and district staff, administrators, businesses, non-profit organizations as well as stakeholders representing children with disabilities, English Learners, children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and other underserved students. Survey results can be accessed here. Additionally, a presentation was made during a public meeting of the District's Board of Trustees on July 22, 2021.
How often will the District review its plans?
District staff will regularly monitor the ESSER Use of Funds plan and School Safety Plan as well as engage in a formal review process every six months as required by the U.S. Department of Education.
