School Board studies almost $104M in COVID funds

The St. Landry Parish School Board has nearly $104 million possibly coming to it in COVID relief funds.

The school district has already spent $7.3 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, which was the first of a three-part program.

The second ESSER totals $31,977,024 and the third ESSER is $71,815,851.

On Wednesday, School Board members heard a program on the funding that included the staff’s assessment on needs.

Budgets are due April 30 for $15.9 million of the ESSER II program and $14,363,170 of the ESSER III program.

Tressa Miller, school district finance officer, said after the budgets are approved the school district will have to use its own funds and then obtain reimbursement.

The main purpose of the ESSER I funds were to ensure educators and students have the device connectivity, and support needed to continue learning virtually. Also, to provide communication and support to families and students for continuous learning.

ESSER II is the measure and address learning loss among students disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and school closures, particularly students with high needs.

ESSER III is reopen schools and sustain their safe operation aligned to CDC guidelines so students can return to inperson learning. Also, to provide evidenced-based interventions to meet social, emotional and academic needs of students.

Superintendent Patrick Jenkins said timeline gives the school district about three weeks to make budget decisions for the first round of funding.

Budgets may be amended after they are presented to the state.

Miller pointed out the program is one-time funding, so pay raises and new hires are problematic. Purchases also are onetime events.

Albert Hayes Jr., a Eunice Board member, noted the staff’s list of needs totaled $61 million, much more than the initial amount of money available.

Hayes also suggested that each Board member be given decision-making over $1 million.

Angela Cassimere, director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, said public hearings must be held before the budgets are submitted to the state Department of Education.

In Wednesday’s presentation, a snapshot of the ESSER II and ESSER III programs included:

— The district is not required to provide equitable services to nonpublic schools;

— The district must reserve at least 20% of funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidencebased interventions; and

— Evidence-based interventions are defined as interventions proven effective through strong, quality research.

Six critical goals are:

— Students enter kindergarten ready;

— Students will achieve mastery on third-grade assessments and enter fourth-grade prepared for grade-level content;

— Students will achieve mastery on eighth grade assessments and enter ninth grade prepared for grade-level content;

— Students will graduate on time;

— Students will graduate with a college or career credential; and

— Students will graduate eligible for a TOPS award.