Federal stimulus funds were allocated to the nation's public schools through the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The funds provided to states for their schools are known as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and have been provided to help prevent, prepare, and respond to the spread of COVID-19.

The first allocation of $1.96 million in ESSER I funds was received in the fall of 2020 and was used to purchase supplies and equipment related to protecting students and staff from COVID and covering the expenses of opening and operating Cruiser Digital Academy, our 100% digital online school.

In the spring of 2021, Groveport Madison Schools received $8.4 million in ESSER II funds. Below please find the latest update regarding the District's expenditures using ESSER II federal stimulus funds.

Groveport Madison Schools was initially expected to receive approximately $18.9 million in additional federal funds through ESSER III. The Ohio Department of Education has since reduced this amount to approximately $18.8 million. These funds must be used by September 2024.

ESSER III funding is available to help safely reopen schools and address the impacts of the pandemic on students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, including interventions to address "learning loss" – delays in students' academic progress related to the pandemic – and support equity with services and supports for student populations that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted.

We are thankful to receive these one-time federal funds to invest in critical areas to help students safely return to school on-site five days a week in the fall and address our schools' and students' needs emerging from the pandemic.