Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This $2.2 trillion package included numerous initiatives. The CARES Act Funds received by the Northwest Local School District (NWLSD) are currently spread out over three main funds: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency (ESSER I), Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), and the BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant.
Northwest Local School District (NWLSD), like other K-12 schools across the country, received additional funding from the federal government. These funds are not to replace our existing operations, but to continue to maintain operations due to reductions in revenue, cover increased expenditures due to the pandemic, increase supports for our students to reduce the learning loss and address any air quality concerns in our buildings. Once the allocated funds are spent they will not be replenished.
NWLSD received an allocation of $2,734,646,35 in ESSER I funds. Of these funds, $291,687.71 in equitable services were provided to non-public schools as required by law. The NWLSD administrative team, in collaboration with building administrators and building leadership teams, planned for the use of these funds. To date, funds have been used to pay for:
- Custodial Positions for Increased Cleaning
- Additional Health Room Staff and Materials for all Buildings (Employees and Contracted Services)
- Cleaning/Sanitizing Supplies and Equipment for Buildings and Buses
- Elementary Summer Program (Summer 2020)
- Early Literacy Professional Development (Learning Loss)
- Personal Protective Equipment (Masks, Shields, Gowns, Gloves, Instrument Masks)
- ZOOM Licenses
- Full-Time Contact Tracer
- Social Distancing Materials (Tape, Stickers, Instructional Materials)
- Additional Middle School Teacher to Support Remote Learning
- Evening Student Support Program
- Increased Costs for Translation
NWLSD received $489,480.39 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. These funds were used to pay for:
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Materials and Equipment
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Chromebooks to Prepare for Remote Learning
- Remote Learning Academy Online Curriculum
- Social Distancing Materials
Additionally, NWLSD had the opportunity to apply for reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses through the CRF funds that were allocated to Hamilton County. The District received a $429,850.00 reimbursement for other chromebooks that were purchased in July, 2020.
NWLSD applied for and received a $121,172.93 BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant that can be used through December 31, 2021 to provide home internet paid for by the district for students who qualify for assistance; hotspots/Mi-Fis with a service plan; mobile spots; public Wi-Fi infrastructure; and other technology that provides a connection for students.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA), was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and provides an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II). The district received an allocation of $10,804,569.20. The availability of these funds is from March 13, 2020 through September 30, 2023. There is no non-public equitable service requirement for these funds. Non-public schools will receive a direct allocation from the Federal Government. NWLSD’s administrative team, in collaboration with building administrators and building leadership teams, have begun the process of planning for the use of these remaining funds.