American Recovery Plan/ESSER III District Plan
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Definition: The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law March 11, 2021 by President Biden, and includes another round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III), providing funds to States and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operations of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.
Allocations: The Nebraska Department of Education will use the same funding methodology to calculate estimate Local Education Agency allocations based on 2020 LEA shares of Title I, Part A allocations. States will distribute 90% of allocated funds. School Districts must reserve 20% of their allocated funds to provide evidence-based interventions and activities toward student learning.
Priorities-Based Strategic Planning: Columbus Public Schools chose to consider the use of these one-time funds over multiple years using a strategic approach to align district priorities to the Nebraska Framework for Renewal and Acceleration, which outlines how a LEA will support their schools in meeting the social, emotional, and academic needs of their students thorugh the fall of 2024.
Allowable Use of ARP/ESSER III Funds: The comprehensive list and explanation can be found at
https://www.education.ne.gov/esser/esser-iii-arp/allowable-uses-of-funds-for-leas/
Columbus Public Schools:
Formed an in-district committee to develop priorities for the use of funding.
Held public comment at two school board meetings.
Promoted the potential funding priorities through the local newspaper.
Finalized the use of funds through a multi-year budgetary approach of sustainability and student impact.
Committee Members: Chip Kay, Dr. Troy Loeffelholz, Jason Harris, Dr. Amy Romshek, Leonard Kwapnioski, Nicole Anderson, Jason Schapmann, Val Wallin, Amy Haynes, Mindi Struebing, Tricia Romshek, Bob Hausmann, Mikki Wilcox, Paula Lawrence, and Austin Carmichael.
March 2021 – District provided details on allowable use of funds
September 2021 - District Plan is Submitted to NDE
TBA – Plan approved by NDE
TBA – Multi-year budget of funds is established
TBA – Process established for the expense of funds and requesting reimbursement from the NDE
Overall Allocation: $4,129,956
Budget Year 2021-2022 ($2,075,000)
Professional Development by building to support current High Reliability Schools benchmarks supporting instruction and assessment of diverse learners....$75,000
Purchase and/or upgrade instructional technology in classrooms....$250,000
Construction of a new Cassette House, Age 18-21 program facility on the High School
Campus....$300,000
Phase I of HVAC upgrades to include fresh air handler, humidifier, and improved air quality in all
District facilities. Air quality assessment, engineering, and planning....$1,000,000
Full-time attendance monitor, parent liaison, and family support advocate....$45,000
Protective supplies, materials, and other necessary student and staff safety items for mitigation
of potential illness....$25,000
Health, wellness, and trauma care for students and staff....$35,000
Parent engagement strategies to assist students with loss of learning....$10,000
Digital resources and online support for student learning....$125,000
Digital devices for instructional support and student learning....$210,000
Budget Year 2022-2023 ($1,321,000)
Professional Development by building to support current High Reliability Schools benchmarks supporting instruction and assessment of diverse learners....$75,000
Phase II of HVAC upgrades to include fresh air handler, humidifier, and improved air quality in all District facilities....$1,000,000
Full-time attendance monitor, parent liaison, and family support advocate....$45,000
Health, wellness, and trauma care for students and staff....$35,000
Cultural diversity training....$8,000
Digital resources and online support for student learning....$125,000
Teacher training on intervention programs....$8,000
Principal training on teacher support, evaluation, and growth....$25,000
Budget Year 2023-2024 ($733,956)
Full-time attendance monitor, parent liaison, and family support advocate....$45,000
Cultural diversity training....$8,000
Teacher training on intervention programs....$8,000
Phase III of HVAC upgrades to include fresh air handler, humidifier, and improved air quality in
all District facilities....$500,000
Health, wellness, and trauma care for students and staff....$35,000
Reassessment of District priorities for funds based on prior year(s) data of student needs for
learning, social, emotional, or other designated support....$137,956