ESSER GRANTS & SAFE RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
FALL 2021 OPENING OF SCHOOL
The FWSU schools will re-open for the 2021-2022 school year following the guidelines provided by the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE). Since the state of emergency has been lifted, we will return to a normal regulatory framework for operating schools beginning on the first day of school, August 25, 2021.
We remain committed to providing the most up-to-date information, ongoing guidance, and resources to our families. We hope you will find the information you need here.
GRANT FUNDING
Franklin West Supervisory Union has and will receive funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). ESSER funds will be distributed in three allocations coming from three different Acts.
WHAT DOES ESSER STAND FOR &
WHAT ARE THESE GRANTS ALL ABOUT?
WHAT IS TITLE 1, PART A?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT ESSER
TYPES & HOW MUCH HAS FWSU
BEEN ALLOCATED?
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is a federal formula grant managed by the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE). Non-recurring, emergency aid sub-grants are being allocated by the AOE to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) by formula based on Title I, Part A allocations - Franklin West Supervisory Union is one of those LEAs. Funds are broken down into three parts: ESSER I, ESSER II, and ESSER III. These grants are considered one-time funds.
Title I, Part A is a Consolidated Federal Program with the purpose of providing all children a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. FWSU receives Title I funding each year.
Click the links to learn more about:
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ESSER I, also known as Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) ESSER funds. FWSU allocation: $222,867
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ESSER II, an expansion of CARES ESSER funds and with the addition of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRPSA) funds. FWSU allocation: $971,345
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ESSER III, also known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds. FWSU allocation: $2,175,544
This U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet further describes
ESSER funds and the difference between each type.
WHAT IS 'MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION'?
HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE IN THIS
PROCESS:
A major component of how FWSU will spend ESSER III funds will depend on the feedback received on plans built by the administrative team. The administrative team will intentionally seek feedback from FWSU families of BIPOC students, students on IEPs, and English Language Learners (ELL).
Stay tuned in July and August for more information on how you can participate in this process.
Tentatively planned for: (this timeline may change and will be updated here if so)
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May- Mid-July: FWSU administrators are/will be conducting a needs assessment to align with district goals in relation to how to spend ESSER III funds.
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Mid-July: Review a presentation of the needs assessment and district goals in relation to how to spend ESSER III funds and provide feedback via a public survey. Both will be posted on this webpage.
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Late July: Attend a public input session, times and dates tbd.
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Early August: Attend an FWSU Board of School Directors meeting to watch a presentation from FWSU administrators. Public comment is welcome at all meetings.
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Mid-August: Attend a second public input session, similar to the one held in late July.
COVID-19 MESSAGES TO THE COMMUNITY
Please refer to the Letters to the Team
from Superintendent, Jim Tager for the most
up-to-date messages involving COVID-19.