UPDATE 5/6/21

The application period for ESSER 3.0 funds has been extended until August 1, 2021. Districts must follow this guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education for utilizing ESSER 3.0 funds to support students and schools.

Originally posted on 3/11/21

The District’s Finance team presented a proposal during the March Internal Board Operations (IBO) Committee meeting which outlines an allocation plan for the second wave of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) funds under the Federal CARES Act.

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) have identified areas of focus for ESSER II funding. 

They include the following: 

Shelby County Schools (SCS) is eligible to receive approximately $224 million, of which a percentage will pass through to charter schools. The proposal includes the allocation of funds for instructional resources, Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization Technology (indoor air quality improvements), summer school to support learning loss and provide additional learning opportunities for students, reducing the adult-to-student ratio, and more listed below. These recommendations align with the State’s criteria.

During the IBO Committee meeting, the School Board shared input and feedback with the District’s Finance team. The team plans to follow-up on additional requests for clarification from the Board regarding the State’s criteria for funding use. Once distributed by the State, funds will be available for use through September 30, 2023.

Click here to view the full presentation. 

Additional information can be found in these FAQs and this fact sheet developed by the Tennessee Department of Education.