What is ESSER?

ESSER funds are considered a federal formula grant and LEAs are eligible to receive these funds through an application process through the Agency of Education (AOE).  The acronym, LEA,  stands for Local Education Agency. KESD is an LEA. The AOE must use at least 90 percent of its ESSER Fund grant to make subgrants to LEAs by formula based on Title I, Part A allocations. Funds are dispersed into three parts: ESSER I, ESSER II, and ESSER III. These grants are considered one-time funds.

ESSER I

The CARES Act created the $30.75 billion Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). This fund provides $13.5 billion in pandemic relief aid for K-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER I) Fund. The state of Vermont received approximately $31 million in ESSER I funds, KESD was allocated $998,884 of the share.

ESSER II

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA) provided significant additional funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER II). Similar to the earlier CARES Act, LEAs received ESSER II funds based on their share of Title I funding. KESD was allocated $3,405,426

ESSER III

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 provided significant additional funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER III or ARP ESSER). Similar to the earlier CARES and CRRSA Acts, LEAs will receive ESSER III funds based on their share of Title I funding. Total award to Vermont: $285,164,208; Total award to LEAs: $256,647,724. Total award to KESD: $7,648,110.

ESSER III Working Plan Presentation

Thank you for your valuable input as we navigate ESSER III funding.

Kingdom East School District