- Kyrene School District
- COVID-19 Information
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Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III (ESSER III)
Kyrene School District Implementation
Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER) Funds are funding received through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to provide school districts with resources to support local recovery needs and efforts in response to COVID-19. ESSER funds are allocated to districts based on the proportionate share of Title I funds they received in the 2020-21 school year. Kyrene School District has been allocated $9,457,929 in ESSER III funds.
ESSER III differs from ESSER I and ESSER II in that it has new requirements for districts to engage the community in the development of the plan, share the plan on our website, and guarantee 20% of the funds are set aside to address unfinished learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among vulnerable populations of students.
Kyrene has committed to far exceeding the 20% minimum. At this time, Kyrene has allocated an estimated $6M (approximately 60%) of the District’s ESSER III funds to address unfinished learning. This balance could evolve as additional funding sources to support this work become available, but Kyrene will continue to exceed the required 20%.
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Kyrene Expanded Learning Program (KELP):
Summer program to address unfinished learning
Students identified through a variety of metrics including assessment data and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
Priority placement for students experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, English learners, students with disabilities and Native American students
Programming to address academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs
Staffing to Support Mitigation
Learning Line support for students who are learning through the Instructional Time Models
Contact Tracer positions
Facility Improvements
Building modifications that could address air flow
Additional air filtration systems (HEPA filters)
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Out of School Programming
School based proposals
Dollars allocated to school sites based on student need
Specific to school context
Identified area of student support
Examples include- before or after school program focused on math instruction for specific identified students
Expenses include pay for teachers and staff, transportation costs and purchase of evidence-based materials
Professional Development
Professional development for teachers focused on addressing student learning needs
Topics to include co-teaching, dyslexia, science of reading, student agency programs, gifted endorsement, intervention
Positions
Funds will be used to maintain/add positions at school sites to ensure continuity of services for students
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Early Literacy Skills Support
Programming to address significant gaps in early literacy
Instructional assistant (25 hours per week)
Provided to schools with data indicating significant gaps in learning
Direct and explicit phonics instruction
Ensure students are fluent readers with strong comprehension by the end of 3rd grade
Additional Support for Unfinished Learning
Development and compilation of resources to support teachers in addressing unfinished learning
Specific focus on mathematics and early literacy skills
Compensation for Additional Time
Stipends for certified classroom teachers or other employees to compensate for time spent working outside of contracted hours to address specific learning needs of students
