ESSER Background

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. It is an unprecedented $1.9 trillion package of assistance measures, including $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are 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.

ARP ESSER Fund awards to SEAs are in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2020.

The ESSER III funds allocated to Sanford-Frtich ISD were $734,762.

ESSER III Purpose

The purpose of ESSER III as defined by the Federal Department of education is to respond to the pandemic and to address student learning loss as a result of COVID-19 by providing evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning, extended day comprehensive after-school programs, and/or extended school year programs that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address disproportionate impact of coronavirus on student populations as defined in ESEA, Title I, Part A; students experiencing homelessness; and youth in foster care.

ESSER III Return To Instruction

Sanford-Fritch ISD returned to school on August 31, 2020, following the Spring 2020 COVID School Closure ordered by Governor Gregg Abbott. The LEA was able to complete a regular school year with no school closures. Throughout the school year, the LEA strictly followed TEA guidance, CDC guidance and local authority recommendations related to the mitigation and response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The LEA will continue to work to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all as we proceed into 2023-2024 and beyond. School will resume on August 15, 2023, and the district will offer only in-person, face-to-face instruction.

In order to assure a safe and effective learning environment, the SFISD Board of Trustees passed the following Safe Return To In-Person Instruction plan at it’s August 2022 board meeting.  The plan will be reviewed every six months, or more often if needed, for needed revisions.  

Safe Return To In-Person Instruction Plan

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction (Spanish)

(Note: Plan was reviewed on June 6, 2023 with stakeholder input.)
Safe Return To In-Person Instruction Plan (Text version) 

ESSER III Use of Funds Plan

Through meaningful consultation with stakeholders and staff a list of prioritized needs has emerged. These are addressed in the grant
application program narrative and funds will be used to address these needs.

• HVAC sanitization and control upgrades to improve the air quality and amount of fresh air in our High School and Junior High
• Teacher professional development to assist teachers in addressing learning loss that is a direct result of lost instructional time caused by the pandemic.
• Provided low income students with Internet access during the 20/21 school year
• Provide each student a device to use to stay connected in the event of further shutdowns and to utilize day to day to assit in addressing learning loss from the 2020 shutdowns
• Provide Standardized assessment program that will measure student growth so the LEA can track student progress to address learning loss.
• Provided additional counselor position at elementary and junior high campuses to address student social and emotional learning.

ESSER III Use of Funds Spreadsheet