The Clarke County School District (CCSD) continues to request public feedback as it develops priorities for funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  

Public input provides valuable information that informs district leaders as they make decisions concerning the academic, social, and emotional needs of students moving forward. With approximately $17 million in remaining ARPA funds, CCSD is asking all stakeholders to consider the following and provide specific feedback:

• What are the top issues currently facing students and schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
• What strategies and/or actions would be most effective in providing for student needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
• How can CCSD better support students, families, staff, and schools as we continue in-person instruction and continuity of services?

The district survey compiles all confidential responses for review and consideration. The survey is found at: https://tinyurl.com/ARPA-CCSD

If you have any questions, please reach out via email for a prompt response to: caresarpa@clarke.k12.ga.us

We appreciate your time and feedback!

CCSD Connect

CCSD Connect is an initiative that seeks to engage community members and civic organizations as active partners in our school district. ARPA funding is available for organizations who want to bring new and innovative programs to our schools and students.

To receive consideration for funding, community organizations and individuals must apply through an RFP process.

Pre-proposal Workshop

A pre-proposal workshop will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14, to answer questions regarding the RFP process. The workshop will begin at 5 p.m. at the CCSD administrative offices building, 595 Prince Ave., Athens, in the human resources training room. Click here to register for the workshop. 

How to Apply for ARPA Funds

1. Complete a CCSD Connect RFP Proposal: https://www.clarke.k12.ga.us/Page/144
2. Applications due: Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m.

Questions?

All questions must be submitted via email to:

Veronica Jackson, Purchasing and Contracts Coordinator
jacksonv@clarke.k12.ga.us

Federal Programs Overview 

CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2020.  The funding provides flexibility for states to respond to the COVID-19 emergency in K-12 schools.  Funds to local school districts may be used for coronavirus response activities, such as planning for and coordinating during long-term school closures, purchasing educational technology to support online learning for all students, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws.

CRSSA Act

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020, provides an additional $54.3 billion for an ESSER II fund.  Following the same distribution as the CARES Act, which is based on the share of ESEA Title I, Part A funds follow the same use for coronavirus-response activities.  Planning for and coordinating activities that address learning loss, preparing schools for reopening, testing, repairing, upgrading projects to improve air quality in school buildings, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws are continually permitted. 

ARPA

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.    

​ARP ESSER funds will allow SEAs to take additional steps to safely reopen schools for in-person instruction and keep them open, and to address the disruptions to teaching and learning resulting from the pandemic. This includes using funds to enact appropriate measures to help schools to invest in mitigation strategies consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools to the greatest extent practicable; address the many impacts of COVID-19 on students, including from interrupted instruction; implement strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs; offer crucial summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; support early childhood education; invest in staff capacity; and avoid devastating layoffs at this critical moment, ensuring that all students have access to teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to support their needs.

Resources

CARES ARP Budget Dashboard

Video Recording - American Rescue Plan Act Proposal (BOE Meeting) - added 11/16/21

CCSD ARP ESSER LEA Plan_Updated Plan 2021_2022 - added 11/16/21

ARPA Allocation Feedback (overview presentation)

• Overview of ARPA, funding allocated to CCSD, and allocation activities to address needs aligned to the eight areas for use of funds.

Clarke County School District General Fund Dashboard

• A similar Dashboard will be available for CARES/ARPA funds for financial transparency and budget tracking to the community at the Georgia Insights website.

CCSD COVID Information

• Information is updated weekly since the beginning of the school year and resources are listed in the below sections:
• Community Resources
• Covid-19 Reporting Data
• Free WiFi for Students
• Healthy Every Day
• Student Meals

CCSD - FY2022 Public Budget Presentation

• Includes information on CARES/ARPA funding plans and was shared at CCSD Board Meetings.
• View CCSD BOE Budget Work Session and Regular Board Meeting.
• Public Comment is available at the beginning of each meeting to receive stakeholder feedback

School-Based Flex Positions (ARPA) Funding Information

• Funded for 3 years
• Each School Leader identified two positions (44 additional school-based positions) needed for their school to address learning loss from the following positions:
• Academic Support Specialist (5)
• Counselor (5)
• Instructional Coach (17)
• MTSS Coordinator (6)
• PBIS Specialist (1)
• Teacher (10)
• All job postings and transfer documents (internal candidates) state the following:
• This position is CARES/ARPA funded for three years. 

A reminder: If you have any questions about any of these federal programs, please reach out via email for a prompt response to: caresarpa@clarke.k12.ga.us