How DPS Will Spend CARES Act Funding

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is an economic stimulus bill passed by Congress in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As part of the CARES Act, school districts — including Decatur Public Schools — received millions of dollars in federal grant funding. These were distributed as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds in Illinois.

The funds were provided in allocations of three ESSER funds – Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ESSER (ESSER I), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act ESSER (ESSER II), and American Rescue Plan ESSER (ESSER III). These funds are intended to prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students. Each allocation includes specific guidance on how the money may be used. For example, at least 20 percent of CARES III funding must be allocated to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning, extended day programs, comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs.

The District engaged in meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including students; families; school and district administration (including special education administrators); and teachers, principals, school leaders, other educators, school staff, and their unions through board meetings, surveys, District Leadership Team meetings, school meetings, meetings with other governmental entities (such as the Park District and City board members). The District also engaged in meaningful consultation with each of the following to the extent present in or served by the District: civil rights organizations (including disability rights organizations); stakeholders representing the interests of children with disabilities, English learners, children experiences homelessness, children and youth in foster care, migratory students, children who are incarcerated, and other underserved students through board meetings, District Leadership Team Meetings, student IEP meetings, surveys. The District also engaged families and stakeholders by creating this web page letting families know how the funds are anticipated to be spent. There is a comment section below for families and the public to enter their opinions and input. The District also surveyed all staff to get input. The survey was then organized and analyzed by District Leadership Team to implement the use of funds.

The District has used these funds to support:

• Extended Day programs, offering before and after school programming for PreK-8th grade students district-wide, including special education students
• Summer school, ensuring identified students received the extra assistance they need to catch up or move ahead for the next school year, with a focus on credit recovery for high school students
• Community summer programs, offering students who wouldn't otherwise attend these programs an opportunity to sign up and receive scholarships to pay for program enrollment and other fees
• Mental health services for staff, by partnering with local providers to ensure staff were able to offer more restorative practices in our classrooms
• Playgrounds installed at several elementary school buildings, including poured-in-place surfaces to ensure student safety
• Professional Development opportunities for teachers and staff to support learning in the classroom
• Windows and doors at several school facilities to help support ventilation and air quality
• Construction of a new magnet school building that will provide more space for students to socially distance, reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards

Click here to find information on how DPS has spent the grant money so far in each ESSER allocation.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols

61 Live: DPS Return to Learn Plan from Spring 2021