Berkeley Leader

Berkeley County Middle College High School issued the following announcement on July 21.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARC) was signed into law. The US Department of Education is providing an additional $122 Billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III) for providing local educational agencies with emergency relief funds to address the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had and continues to have on elementary and secondary schools.

• SC will receive a total of $2,112,051,487 in ESSER III Funds
• 90% of this flows to school districts
• Remaining amount will be used for state-level activities to address issues caused by Covid-19

Berkeley County School District is allocated $72M.

• BCSD must spend at least 20% (appx $14M) of the allocation to address learning loss
• The learning loss plan will align to BCSD’s Academic Recovery Plan and must include:
• Funds allocated to address the academic impact of lost instructional time using evidence-based interventions.
• Interventions that respond to the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students
• Interventions implemented address students’ needs

15 allowable uses of ESSER III funds

• Any activities authorized under ESSA: IDEA, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act and Perkins Act
• Coordinate emergency response
• Address needs of highly vulnerable populations
• Ensure preparedness and coordination (systems and procedures)
• Training related to infectious disease
• Purchasing cleaning supplies to sanitize and clean schools
• Planning/coordinating for continued education
• Purchase educational technology
• Mental health support
• Summer learning
• Learning loss
• Facilities repairs and improvements
• Improving indoor air quality
• Developing strategies and implementing public health protocol
• Other activities necessary for maintaining services and instruction

The next step for the District is to develop a budget for ESSER III funds through meaningful consultation and engagement with district stakeholders.

Please assist us in determining the best use of these funds to maximize the educational experience for students in BCSD by responding to the survey provided below:

English: https://forms.gle/E4g2fTSF3TDvF3tr5

Espanol: https://forms.gle/q7A3PnmSZpX1tVJ18

Original source can be found here.