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Dear Superintendents and Business Managers,
On January 28, 2021, ODE released funding allocations for the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund that was approved under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSER II). These allocations were for all 197 school districts for the 90 percent federal formula funds dedicated to all eligible local education agencies, as well as a small portion of the state set-aside funding that ensures districts not eligible under the formula to receive resources. It also includes a portion of funding to districts to pass through to state sponsored charter schools.
At the time, we communicated that we would soon be allocating an additional portion of the state set-aside for education program services, as well as funding for services and supports provided through education service districts. Unfortunately, this process was delayed due to some additional coordination that needed to be completed. We apologize for the length of time that it has taken to finalize these allocations. However, we are now able to complete this process and release the information.
In this document, you will find the allocation plan for $482.4 million of the $499.2 million awarded for ESSER II. In addition to allocations to school districts communicated on January 28, the plan includes $16.6 million allocated to all 19 education service districts for district support and specialized program grants, as well as $5.0 million of funding that will be allocated to ODE programs to assist districts and education service districts to support the Youth Corrections Education Program, Juvenile Detention Education Program, Long-Term Care and Treatment Program, Hospitals Program, and the two school districts that support Early Intervention and Early Child Special Education and Regional Programs.
These $21.6 million of allocations along with $9.8 million of funding to support a contract for a statewide public awareness campaign; funding for Oregon School for the Deaf; and state administrative cost equals $31.4 million of additional state set-aside. The Department is currently working to execute all agreements for the ESSER II plan and ensure districts and education service districts have access to funds as soon as possible.
There still remains $16.6 million of the state set-aside to be allocated from ESSER II. The Department is currently in conversation with the Governor’s Office on next steps in allocating these funds. This will also include a discussion of recent funding allocated under the American Rescue Plan (ESSER III). This information will be communicated in the next several weeks as the Department receives guidance from the Governor’s Office, as well as USDOE regarding the new funding requirements.
Lastly, although the CARES Act does not require pass-through of ESSER Funds from the LEA to its charter schools, we strongly recommend that sponsoring districts consider the needs of all of their students and provide supports for their charter schools. This is similar to guidance issued by the Department under ESSER I.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mike Wiltfong at Mike.Wiltfong@ode.state.or.us. Thank you!
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