ROE #39/FUTURES UNLIMITED

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act

ESSER III Use of Funds Plan

Introduction

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act statute requires that LEAs develop and make publicly available their plans for the use of funds after having engaged in meaningful consultation with stakeholders. This plan must be reviewed and revised regularly to address changes in guidance. A summary of the plan for ESSER III funding, aligned to four required components, is below.

Public Comment & Stakeholder Input

This plan was developed in consultation with stakeholders after soliciting public comment via electronic survey and small group meetings.

Effective Date & Publication of Plan

The plan was written in July, 2022 and posted to the ROE website, www.roe39.org.  Should revisions to the plan become necessary, the plan will be updated and a revised version posted on the website.

Required Components of Use of Funds Plan

 Statute requires that LEAs describe its use of funds according to four components:

·         Prevention and mitigation strategies consistent to the latest CDC guidance on reopening schools in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning. (LEAs are not required to use ESSER III funds for this activity.)

·         How LEA will use funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year

·         How LEA will spend its remaining funds to meet the intent and purpose of ESSER III

·         How LEA will ensure the interventions address the academic impact of lost instructional time, will respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by COVID19, including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students.

Plan for Funding to Address Impact on Learning

Statute requires a minimum of 20% of ESSER III funding to be directed toward activities that address learning loss. This requirement is separated among two components:

• Component #2: Evidence-based interventions; and

• Component #4: Interventions that ensure the social, emotional, mental health needs of students are met

Initial entitlement: $90,747

20% of Entitlement: $18,149 (minimum allowed) Initial planned: $22,289

Amount directed toward learning loss: $22,289

 Component #2: Evidence-based Interventions

Milligan Academy and Futures Unlimited will address learning loss through the following activities:

Payroll for teachers to conduct after school program for students in grades 9-12 during the 2022-23 through 2023-2024 school years. The schools will purchase supplies, including security cameras and signage, and materials, including cleaning supplies to maintain proper sanitation during summer enrichment and after-school programs.

The LEA has budgeted to implement these activities during the following years:

● 2022-2023 school year

● 2023-2024 school year (as carryover)

Component #4: Interventions Addressing Academic, Social, Emotional Needs of Students

Milligan Academy and Futures Unlimited will provide interventions responding academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, in particular underserved groups*, through the following activities:

ESSER III funds will pay stipends to staff to provide explicit instruction in social, emotional and cognitive skills.

ESSER III funds will pay for retrofitting space to accommodate three SEL classrooms with space for sensory development and self-regulation to mitigate the impact of learning loss due to CoVid 19.

ESSER III funds will pay for student interventions to address needs of academic underserved. struggling students, addressing assessment, curriculum, and comprehensive needs of students.

*Underserved groups: low-income students; students of color; English learners; students with disabilities; students experiencing homelessness; children in foster care; migratory students

The LEA has budgeted to implement these activities during the following years:

•         2022-2023 school year

•         2023-2024 school year (as carryover)

Plan for Other Needs

Statute requires that the remaining funds be (≤ 80% of ESSER III entitlement) be spent on other needs aligned with the intent and purpose of ESSER III. This requirement is separated among two components:

• Component #1: Prevention and Mitigation Strategies (optional use of ESSER III); and

• Component #3: Remaining use of ESSER funds aligned to safely reopening and sustaining the safe operation of schools and addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students.

Component #1: Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

Milligan Academy and Futures Unlimited will provide prevention and mitigation strategies consistent with CDC guidance (to the greatest extent possible) on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning.

Component #3: Remaining Use of Funds

Remaining funds to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. The following activities are planned:

·         Stipends to encourage staff to remain in the field of education.

·         Investigating air quality and efforts to improve it.

·         Instructional support for teachers for summer and after-school programs

·         Equipment upgrades to increase social distancing in classrooms and learning areas

The LEA has budgeted to implement these activities during the following years:

·         2022-2023 school year

·         2023-2024 school year (as carryover)