What does ESSER stand for & what are these grants all about?

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 subgrants are being allocated by the AOE to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) by formula based on Title I, Part A allocations - Montpelier Roxbury School District 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.

What is Title I, Part A?

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. MRPS receives Title I funding each year.

What are the different eSSER types & how much has MRPS been allocated?

Click the links to learn more about:

• ESSER I, also known as Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) ESSER funds. MRPS allocation: $253,143

• ESSER II, an expansion of CARES ESSER funds and with the addition of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRPSA) funds. MRPS allocation: $994,201

• ESSER III, also known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds. MRPS allocation: $2,230,394

This U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet further describes ESSER funds and the difference between each type.

What is the Status of ESSER I & ESSER II Funds and Decisions?

what is ‘meaningful consultation’?

A major component of how MRPS will spend ARP ESSER (ESSER III) funds will depend on the feedback received on the APR ESSER (ESSER III) Public Plan built by the administrative team.

The administrative team will intentionally seek feedback from MRPS families of BIPOC students, students on IEPs, and English Language Learners (ELL).

how to engage in this process

1) Review this document to learn more about the limitations and opportunities for how to spend ESSER III funds.

2) Listen to Episode 7 of our ‘In the Schools’ Podcast hosted by Superintendent Libby Bonesteel. View this accompanying presentation as you listen!

3) Attend and make a public comment at an MRPS Board of School Directors Meeting.

4) Review the ARP ESSER (ESSER III) Public Plan.

5) Provide feedback on infrastructure ideas to MRPS Administrators using Thought Exchange. *closed November 19th, 2021 - review the report of feedback received.

6) Provide input on what you feel are the most important academic, social emotional, and mental health supports for schools to provide to serve all students using Thought Exchange. *closed December 17th, 2021 - review the report of feedback received.

7) Review the 1) ESSER III Themes presentation as presented at the March 2nd Board of School Directors meeting by Superintendent Libby Bonesteel (jump to minute 42:00 in the video linked below to watch the presentation) and 2) the ESSER 2 and 3 Calculations.

8) Provide feedback on the ESSER III / ARP ESSER Plan by Sunday, March 20th, 2022. *closed March 20th, 2022