Cornell Grade School District

ARP ESSER Use of Funds Plan

Revised 2.16.2022

Cornell Grade School District School District has elected to utilize the ARP ESSER Funds as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Cornell Grade School District will ensure all funds are utilized to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational opportunities for students and to upgrade Cornell Grade School District facilities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for student to return to in person learning. To ensure all stakeholders are familiar with safety protocols, Cornell Grade School District posted a Return to Learn Plan on the district website on August 1, 2020. This plan will be reviewed and updated at a minimum every six (6) months.

In addition, Cornell Grade School District is creating this ARP ESSER Use of Funds Plan to ensure all stakeholders are aware of how the funds will be allocated to ensure:

• The extent to which and how the funds will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the extent practicable, consistent with CDC guidance. These mitigation strategies include providing personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, and other CDC guidelines designated.

• How the LEA will use the funds it reserves under Section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act to address the academic impact of lost instructional time. Cornell plans to utilize funds for

·         After School Tutoring

·         Summer School

·         Online ELA support

·         Computers for staff to utilize to enhance both in person and remote learning opportunities, and administrative staff to utilize for contact tracing and maintaining records

·         Fiber Optic – Internet service (reduce digital divide impact)

·         Purchase science, social studies and reading curriculum that enhances both in person and remote learning opportunities

·         Smartboards

·         Salary for contact trace administrative assistant salary/benefits (FY22, FY23 & FY24)

·         District Bookkeeper salary/benefits – to ensure financial obligations are met (FY23)

·         Contractual services for grant writer

·         Electronic Message Board

·         FY23 & FY 24 Sanitation, personal protective equipment, etc

·         Repair/upgrade Heater Coil – to mitigate issues of mold and poor air quality

·         Repair/upgrade HVOA – condensate receiver to mitigate condensation issue

·         Panther 20TO auto scrubber – ensure sanitation of floors

• How the LEA will use its remaining ARP ESSER funds. All allocations are listed above.

• How the LEA will ensure the interventions it implements will respond to the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All services will be provided during the academic support times listed above.

Cornell Grade School District created this comprehensive Use of Funds Plan after reviewing the needs of students, staff, and community through the collection of information from the 5Essentials Survey, local surveys, public comments at Board of Education meetings, input from three superintendents, and will continue to utilize these means to ensure public input throughout the implementation of the plan.

Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

                Cornell Grade School District plans to utilize the ARP ESSER Funds to reduce contamination and ensure sanitary procedures with the following upgrades, installations, and repairs:

·         To ensure air quality and concerns with mold by repairing/upgrading the Heater Coil and the condensate receiver. energy efficiency four (4) windows in the gymnasium will be replaced.

·         FY23 & FY 24 Sanitation, personal protective equipment, etc.

·         Panther 20TO auto scrubber – ensure sanitation of floors

                All prevention and mitigation strategies will follow current CDC guidance. Consideration will also be given to ADA compliance where appropriate.

Academic Impact of Lost Instructional Time

                Cornell Grade School District will provide Summer School in 2022 to address academic needs and enrichment activities of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. ARP ESSER Funds will be utilized for Summer School & after school salaries/benefits and Paraprofessional staff salaries/benefits where appropriate. Staff will utilize benchmark assessments to determine students selected for the summer school program. At the conclusion of the summer school program, students will be reassessed to determine the impact summer school intervention has on learning of the students that participate.

                Throughout the school year, after school tutoring will be offered to students that need additional support to reduce the disproportionate impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. This service will ensure the maximum intervention is provided to all impacted students, particularly children with disabilities and those students disproportionately impacted by the loss of in person instruction at the height of the pandemic. Funds will provide for staff stipends and benefits.

                During previous remote learning times, staff experienced difficulties providing materials through online platforms and current curriculum. To mitigate that barrier to providing quality instruction, Cornell Grade School District staff will be selecting updated curriculum in science, social studies, and reading. The new curriculum will enhance learning opportunities through digital resources and opportunities for students required to learn remotely to have equitable access to all learning materials, synchronized learning opportunities, and staff support.

                The social and emotional strain on students and staff throughout the pandemic greatly impacts student learning and staff effectiveness. To address the impact of social emotional learning and support staff mental health, Cornell Grade School District will monitor student and staff. Outside services may be added when the need arises.

                 

Remaining Use of Funds

                Cornell Grade School District plans to purchase an electronic message board to communicate with community members.  The limited internet options in this rural community require multiple venues for ensuring all community members have access to information regarding school systems.

Reporting

                Cornell Grade School District School District will complete all reporting required for receiving ESSER III funding. Reports will be completed semi-annually or as deemed necessary by ISBE and ESSER III grant requirements.

Cornell Grade School District School District will gather evidence and data to report to ISBE on the following interventions:

• Learning renewal strategies

• After-school activities

• Summer school activities

• SEL and mental health activities, if/when appropriate

• And other interventions utilized

Cornell Grade School District will track all remote learners to ensure equitable use of funds for each student is documented.

Cornell Grade School District will disaggregate the data collected in multiple ways. Examples: student group (homebound, remote learners, grade level, low income, children with disabilities, race/ethnicity, etc.)

Learning Loss Equity

A school district must reserve not less than 20 percent of its total ARP ESSER allocation to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, or comprehensive after-school programs. It must ensure that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student groups. Cornell Grade School District has set aside twenty (20) percent of the total ARP ESSER allocation to address learning loss in summer learning or summer enrichment, and to address any disproportionate impact of the pandemic on underrepresented student groups.