As a follow-up to the previous feedback, below is the background information for ESSER funding. We are asking for public comment.

Lancaster County School District (LCSD) seeks public input on how the district should use federal funding received from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs resulting from the impact of COVID-19. LCSD must consider the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups, including 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.

 The Lancaster County School District needs input on the spending of the ARP - ESSER III allocation. LCSD received over $25.8 million to address learning loss and academic needs related to the Covid19 pandemic. Funds cannot be used for bonuses.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. The US Department of Education is providing an additional $121.9 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III Fund). This legislation will award these grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.