In the coming week, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is expected to open the grant application for districts to apply for the state’s $175 million share of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

District allocations of ESSER funds will be released once grant applications are approved by DPI. Private schools should anticipate funds being available from their district by early July.

While ninety percent of the funds will go to public schools, the law requires that private school students receive an equitable share of the ESSER funds received by their local public school district.

WCRIS is working with the DPI on its plan to distribute the funds. It’s complicated by a national dispute over how the money should be apportioned. See the Council of Chief State School Officers’ letter to the US Department of Education here and the U.S Secretary of Education response here.

Heads Up: Respond Quickly & Say Yes

However, in the coming days and as soon as Friday, your local school district will contact you about participating in consultation for a proportionate share of ESSER funds

Watch your email AND check your physical mail, as you will need to respond quickly once your district contacts you because the DPI is imposing deadlines on their response. More importantly, say yes to participating. You can decline participation at a later date, should you change your mind.

As you wait for your district to notify you about consultation, you can do the following to prepare for the funds:

  • Reach Out: Contact your public school district and tell them you expect to be provided timely and meaningful consultation about how the funds will be used, as the law requires.
  • Assess: Under ESSER there are 12 allowable uses for the funding. Starting looking at your student, family and staff needs now that could fall under one of the 12 uses.
  • Know the Law: Read the relevant portions of the CARES act and have it with you during your consultation. Private schools are encouraged to look at the 12 allowable uses and create multiple plans, each allotting for a different level of funding (low, medium, high), depending on the amount you eventually receive.

WCRIS will update you via Current Events when the ESSER funds are released to districts by the DPI.