ESSER

In recognition of the impact COVID-19 has had—and will continue to have—on public education, school districts nationwide received historic levels of federal relief funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

ESSER funds were provided to state educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.

In response, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (then Shelby County Schools) began holding community events to gather feedback related to the 2021-22 school year budget and ESSER funding. Stakeholders were asked to share ideas for how the District spends these dollars in accordance with federal and Tennessee state guidelines.

ESSER in the MSCS Newsroom

That Is Transparency – June 28, 2023
Esto Es Transparencia – June 28, 2023
MSCS ESSER in Action Community Campaign Nationally Spotlighted Among Educational Leaders – April 26, 2022
MSCS Recognized for ESSER in Action Campaign Implementation and Initiatives – March 21, 2022
Shelby County School Board to Host Community Meetings Discussing 2022-23 Budget Proposal – March 21, 2022
MSCS Opens New Family Wellness Centers to Extend Support to Students and Families – March 2, 2022
MSCS Named Best for All District by the Tennessee Department of Education – February 11, 2022
SCS Proposed Projects Utilizing COVID-19 Relief Funding to Support District Improvements – November 22, 2021
Schools Utilize Data to Improve and Reward Student Achievement – November 8, 2021
Bolton High Awarded Grant to Become World Class AgriSTEM School – May 19, 2021
SCS Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 Unanimously Approved – May 18, 2021
School Board Hosts Community Meetings to Raise Awareness & Gather Feedback: 2021-22 Budget Proposal, ESSER Funding, Third Grade Commitment – April 21, 2021
SCS Unveils Reimagining 901 Proposal – April 19, 2021

Board Presentations

Board Retreat – Budget – March 4, 2023 – March 4, 2023
Board Retreat – FY 2023 Budget – February 25, 2022
FY 2022 ESSER 3.0 Workshop – June 24, 2021
UPDATE: SCS Presents Proposed Use of CARES Act Emergency Relief Funding – March 25, 2021, and updated on May 6, 2021
Return Stronger: School Ventilation Update – February 12, 2021
SCS Shares Facts about CARES Act “ESSER II” Relief Funds – January 13, 2021

State of the District

State of the District – March 21, 2023
State of the District – February 23, 2022
State of the District – April 16, 2021

Memphis-Shelby County Schools & County Commission

Initial Budget Discussions - April 21, 2021

Newsletters

Superintendent Update - February 22, 2021
District Update - January 13, 2021

ESSER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Board Business Meetings

Additionally, every Board business meeting from January 2021 to present includes opportunities for public comment regarding funding allocations.

Community Meetings

Shelby County Schools scheduled community meeting dates to discuss the proposed 2021-22 Budget, ESSER (COVID-19 Relief) Funding, and the Third Grade Commitment plan. The community was encouraged to attend the meetings, in-person or virtually, to learn more about the District’s plans, ask questions, and provide additional feedback. All meetings were streamed live on voiceofscs.com and scsk12.org/board.

Community Survey

Shelby County Schools disseminated a community survey to all stakeholders, including students, employees, families, and community partners, to gather feedback related to the allocation of ESSER dollars. Some key findings:

4,957 people provided feedback on how the ESSER funds should be spent.

Academic needs was overwhelmingly selected as the top issue facing students.

Parents (56.4%) and teachers (33.5%) represented the two largest response groups.

“Teachers are the backbone of our District” and recruiting and retaining them was seen as the best way to strengthen the District and was the most frequently cited strategy to help SCS students.

For student academic support strategies early literacy and interventions for students in need were ranked highest overall.

To support educators a reduction in class size is essential. Teachers felt that additional planning time would help them as well.

In other student support strategies, mental health and more school counselors, nurses, and psychologist were ranked highest (3.7 weighted average out of 5).