Greenville County Schools asks community how it should spend $163M

Greenville County Schools announced on Monday, July 19 that it is set to receive almost $163 million over three years. The school district is now seeking suggestions from the community on where that money needs to go.

The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP-ESSER III) from the federal government’s response to COVID-19.

At least 20% of the funds are to go toward assisting learning loss due to the pandemic. Money must also go toward underrepresented student groups, according to the school district. The rest of the federal dollars are to be spent in seven areas and 15 broad activities provided by the Department of Education.

Parents, social service agencies and community members are asked to fill out this survey (English | Spanish) to help the district decide where to allocate the funding.

Funding must be spent by the fall of 2024.

The school district’s survey closes on Monday, July 26 at 11:59 p.m.

The seven areas funding can be used for include:

Learning recovery (extra help for students who have fallen behind)
Academic needs of children in poverty and underrepresented groups (ex. minorities, students with disabilities, English language learners,
Student supports and services (social, emotional, and mental health needs)
Health and safety training and supplies (cleaning and disinfecting supplies, personal protective equipment, etc.)
Health and safety improvement to facilities (ex. HVAC systems)
Coordination and planning for future long-term closures (developing infrastructure and plans in case of future shutdown)
Educational technology (Individual devices such as Chromebooks)

The 15 activities the funding could go toward include:

For Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), or Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins CTE)
Coordinating emergency responses
Activities addressing the needs of low-income students (also disabilities, ELL, minority, homeless, foster care)
Improving preparedness of schools and school district
Training on sanitization and spread of diseases
Purchasing sanitization and cleaning supplies
Coordination for future long-term closures
Educational technology for students
Mental health services and support for students
Summer learning and afterschool programs
Addressing learning recovery among students using high-quality assessments, evidence-based activities, assistance to families, and tracking attendance
School facility repairs and improvements to reduce risk of virus transmission
Improving indoor air quality in schools
Implementing public health protocols for health and safety of students and staff
Activities ensuring operation and continuity of services