Public school districts were just notified by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that the ESSER grant application will open in WISEgrants on July 30. Once the grant is open, districts can apply for the ESSER funds.
WISEgrantswill automatically calculate a proportional share of ESSER funds based on total enrollment and based on low-income counts for private schools, but limits the amount the LEA is allowed to budget for private schools to the guaranteed amount for equitable participation, which is the lesser of the two calculated methods. The difference of the two amounts will be held in reserve until the national lawsuit is settled.
Districts have to upload signed Private School Affirmation forms from their local private schools to show that timely and meaningful consultation has occurred.
This should motivate public school districts to deal with any questions private schools have about their school children’s share of ESSER funds. If you have not talked with your district about your equitable share of ESSER funds, now is the time to reach out.
