Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on elementary and secondary schools across the country, including significant learning loss for students.
What Is ESSER?
To address these effects of COVID-19, Congress has enacted legislation that provides Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding for state and local educational agencies.
There have been three releases of funds:
The Texas Education Agency has outlined the relevant entitlements for each local educational agency and education service center.
What expenses are eligible for ESSER funds?
For the latest information on what products and services are eligible, please refer to federal and state guidelines. Schools may be allowed to use ESSER funds to address learning loss in a variety of ways, for example:
Providing wraparound services to students
- Before/After School and Saturdays
- Nutrition
- Summer School
Hiring and training educators and other staff
- Counselors
- Instructional Coaches
- Personnel
- Planning Time
- Professional Development
- Professional Development on SEL
- Social Workers
Shoring up facilities and equipment
- Buses
- Bus Services
- Construction Costs
- Health and Safety Equipment
- HVAC Systems
- Intensive Intervention and Remediation
- Other (PPE, technology, etc.)
Use ESSER Funds on Facility projects
Once you have determined eligible projects and purchases, TASB Facility Services has programs to help boost your community’s response to COVID-19. ESSER funds may be used in a variety of ways, including addressing the health-related needs of district facilities in the following areas:
- HVAC Systems and Ventilation
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Pre-construction hazardous material sampling of suspect building components to be disturbed during facility improvements, as required by state law
Visit TASB Facility Services to find out more about service offerings or contact your regional Facility Consultant directly for assistance.
Use ESSER Funds on BuyBoard purchases
BuyBoard purchases that support public health may be ESSER fund eligible. Once eligible projects and purchases have been determined, BuyBoard can help make the procurement process simple, easy, and compliant. With a wide range of vendors, members will find almost everything needed to support their organization through BuyBoard.