COVID-19 Pandemic: Emergency Relief Funds
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools has received emergency federal funding due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These emergency funds were provided as the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) and they must be used for the prevention of, reduction of, or response to COVID-19. This funding is critical as the pandemic continues and we work to both respond and recover.
The information outlines Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' response to community stakeholder feedback and how we used that input to guide our current spending and future allocation of the ESSER funds.
All ESSER grants end September 30, 2024.
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26 grants totaling $542.1 M
*Additional CARES grants with specific purposes: tutoring, EC, SEL staff, digital curriculum, learning management system
**Additional CRRSA grants with specific purposes: contracted support staff, summer programming, bonus for school nutrition staff
***Additional ARP grants with specific purposes: students experiencing homelessness (MCV), Exceptional Children (EC), $1000 COVID training bonus for teachers & qualifying instructional support staff, cyberbullying & suicide prevention, math enrichment program, summer career accelerator program, identification and location of missing students, driver training, school improvement/leadershipCOVID Funding BOE Update 3.2022
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or ESSER I) provided direct funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.
The CARES Act is intended to assist eligible public school units during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools allotment for this fund is approximately $33 million. These funds must be used by September 30, 2022.
2021-22 Budget Work Session 1.2021
CARES Funding BOE Update 1.2022
Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
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The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA or ESSER II) is to provide funds to address the areas most impacted by the disruption and closure of schools caused by COVID-19. For NC, addressing learning recovery was the focus, specifically summer school.
CRRSA is intended to assist eligible public school units during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools allotment for this fund is approximately $141 million. These funds must be used by September 30, 2023.
CRRSA Funding BOE Update 4.2021
CRRSA Funding BOE Update 1.2022
CRRSA Funding BOE Update 3.2022
American Rescue Plan
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The American Rescue Plan (ARP or ESSER III) provides direct aid to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of COVID-19 on schools. ARP requires each public school unit to use at least 20% of their allotment for addressing learning loss.
ARP is intended to assist eligible public school units during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools allotment for this fund is approximately $317 million. These funds must be used by September 30, 2024.
ARP Planned Investments + Stakeholder Input 9.2021
ARP Planned Investments + Stakeholder Input 12.2021
Stakeholder Feedback
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We conducted multiple stakeholder input sessions in 2021 to guide our use of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The major themes and priorities that emerged are listed below:
- Increased academic needs
- Increased social-emotional & mental health needs
- Increased absenteeism & disengagement
- Increased need for translation & interpretation services for students & families
- Continued need for the virtual/remote learning option
- Continued need for technology & connectivity
The following priorities were identified based on the stakeholder input:
- Equity & Additional Support based on student needs
- Social-Emotional Learning & Mental Health Support
- Health & Safety Measures
- Virtual & Remote Options
- Teacher Professional Development, Coaching, & Support