There have been many questions raised regarding changes and adaptations other districts have been able to make throughout the pandemic. We wanted to share how Scarborough’s share of federal COVID related funds stacked up against other districts and how impactful their share of the money was to their current and future plans for reopening their doors to students.

The following outlines how Scarborough has used the money thus far in preparing for our students’ return to the classrooms.

Prior to the FY21 budget going to referendum and approval on July 14, 2020, Scarborough Schools had received $106k in federal COVID relief funds via the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER1) . Those funds were used to hire two full-time subs to meet staffing demands resulting from COVID. Since that time, Scarborough has received a total of $4.3 million dollars in federal funds through two Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF1 and CRF2). CRF allocations were based on student enrollment, while ESSER funds were based on the district’s Title I status (Title I is an entitlement program that is calculated based upon the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches), resulting in a significantly smaller allocation for Scarborough. Obtaining this funding has been instrumental in successfully and safely reopening schools to students and staff.

The money that has been received thus far has allowed the district to strategically invest in areas that meet the demands of educating during a pandemic, while not increasing our local taxes or reducing programming. As would be expected in a time of hybrid learning, technology has been the largest area of investment using CRF funds. Investments in technology include: remote services software and subscriptions, live streaming equipment, laptops, chromebook cases for safe transport of devices, and audio equipment to address sound quality challenges in an environment of masking and online learning. These funds also provided Town Hall with the necessary wiring and equipment to live stream all meetings by the various councils and boards to ensure business was conducted safely. Staffing and personnel costs was another major category, including increased staffing to address new safety protocols and expected absences across all departments, in class staff support for remote teachers, professional development training opportunities, and new hire training.

Opening the doors at aging facilities has included substantial investments, such as: a thorough HVAC system review and modifications as needed, new safety dividers, expanded health care facilities, air purifiers, fans, various pieces of cleaning equipment, and increased outdoor learning spaces. Of particular note is the construction of a new storage shed, which had been an ongoing need for the facilities department. The new demand to accommodate the necessary PPE, furniture and soft goods removed from classrooms to meet social distancing requirements, and extra educational and cleaning supplies exacerbated this already known need. In partnership with the Town Council, a site was selected at the bus depot and the shed was erected in December 2020. For those interested, here is a detailed look at all CRF expenditures.

Initial direction from the state was that all CRF funds had to be spent and accounted for by December 30, 2020, and more specifically, on items not already accounted for in the budget. In response to districts across the country struggling to meet this requirement, in late December the federal government extended the CRF expenditure deadline to June 30, 2021. This provided the opportunity to pull back some planned facility spending and redirect those dollars to continue to fund the additional COVID staffing needs through the end of the 2021 school year. In addition to the funds already discussed, a second Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allotment (ESSER2) was released in February. Scarborough is set to receive an additional $438,893. ESSER2 funds are available for obligation through September 30, 2022, and (unlike most federal grants) may be used to supplant normally budgeted costs. As such, district leadership is currently strategizing how to best use these funds to assist with the opening of schools for the 2021-22 school year. The most recent funds just released by the government in the past week, ESSER3 funding, is available for obligation through September 30, 2023, with 20 percent of the funds earmarked specifically for learning recovery efforts.

In the coming months, school administrators and the School Board Finance Committee will be discussing the impact of these funds and investments on the FY22 budget. As always, please reach out to the board with any questions that you may have at boe@scarboroughschool.org and stay engaged as FY22 budget discussions continue.

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