The School District of Lee County continues to use federal stimulus grant funding, ESSER funds, to support staff and students.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the school district does not get money with ESSER funds, as there are no receipt dollars. He said the federal government passes the money to the state.

“We wrote an application of what we want to accomplish with those dollars . . . to reimburse our costs,” he said, adding that it is really important for the community to know that they do not have a big pile of money. “We have to spend all of our own dollars and apply for reimbursement. If we want to change something, do something new, we can change the grant and ask for a shift in reimbursement, but that would have to be approved by an amendment.”

Grants and Program Development Director Teri Cannady said the district does not receive money until the initiatives are completed. She said the district is reimbursed as they work through the grant.

Although ESSER 1 ($21,837,924) has been 100 percent expended, the district still has funds for ESSER II ($84,144,214) with 58 percent expended and ESSER III ($189,170,730) , with 12 percent expended.

ESSER II provides stability by continuing to support the continuity of learning at home and for students at school. This also focuses on the academic learning loss and closing the achievement gap.

Teachers also receive support through ESSER II with professional development.

ESSER III focuses on the path forward with such areas as tutoring and summer programs, as well as professional development and stabilization pay for personnel.

Part of ESSER III includes public input Cannady said, which includes a website for the public regarding the instructional continuity plan and changes made due to COVID-19 based on guidance from the CDC and Department of Health.

The ESSER funded projects for students include Scholastic books for all elementary students; live science experiments; district-wide middle school book study; Connect with LEE; Back on Track; tutoring; summer programs; ACT/SAT prep and materials; mental health video production, Wellness Wednesdays; ESOL support, iReady; hot spots; supplemental curriculum for students with disabilities and phycological evaluations for all students.

Grants and Program Development Program Administrator Leta Dietz Smith said they were able to connect with 4,437 students through Connect with LEE during the 2021-2022 school year. Through the summer Scholastic program they made 3,655 student connections.

Furthermore, Dietz Smith said through the Back on Track program they were able to have 1,696 courses recovered.

Staff also had ESSER funded projects, which included additional personnel, additional health and insurance costs, growing a district apprenticeship program and opportunities for professional development.

“I am excited to hear about the training that staff has had,” Board member Cathleen Morgan said. “This is something that I have been asking for for a long time.”

Bernier told the board that some of the impacts they have seen may not have been what they wanted in recovery funds, but provided stabilization for the school district with a B grade. He said it is a win to hold onto the B grade and increasing the number of points.

“We are now beginning a new set of dashboards, excellence goals,” Bernier said.

He said they will continue to support before and after school learning, as well as during the day to attempt to recover the learning loss.

“We are trying to remind parents we are open and their children need to come back. The only way to make a difference in their life is to have them in attendance. Students need to get back into school and participate again into he education process,” Bernier said.