DOUGLASS

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)

“The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted on March 27, 2020, and included Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds for K-12 schools. These ESSER grants will provide school districts with emergency relief funds to address the impact COVID-19 has had elementary and secondary schools.” (KSDE School Finance)

KSDE ESSER Informational Page

Below is a breakdown of the amount of ESSER funds Douglass USD 396 is eligible to receive. ESSER investments are made under the guidance and review of the Kansas State Department of Education, which has authorized specific uses for the ESSER funds. 

ESSER I Allocation and Expenses

ESSER I funds were released to Douglass USD 396 in the summer of 2020. As the District navigated the change to remote instruction and the necessary changes to facilities to keep everyone safe, supplies and technology were purchased with the help of federal disaster funds. Of the $63,849 in ESSER I allocation, 20% was spent on the purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE). Some items that were purchased included masks for staff and students, thermometers for monitoring entrances, disinfectants, foggers and solution, sanitizing materials as well as numerous other safeguards to ensure a safe return of staff and students. 13% of ESSER I funds were spent on internet access to staff and students to facilitate remote instruction. The biggest piece to the pie of ESSER I allocation was spent on the software and technology needed to provide the most effective remote instruction possible. As the classroom transitioned into the home, additional computers, iPads, chargers, as well as software was necessary to attempt to provide our kids with the best instruction possible.

Detailed Report Here

ESSER II Allocation and Expenses

ESSER II funds gave Douglass USD 396 the opportunity to expand successful Multi-Tiered Systems (or MTSS) to our Middle School and Secondary educational level, add staff at our Elementary level to reduce classroom sizes, and also to support the school in coverage of classrooms due to COVID-related absences. Expenses to date total $102,604.02 from June 2021- March 2022.

Positions that were added:

Elementary Teacher

Elementary Paraeducator

Elementary MTSS Paraeducator (2)

Elementary Social Worker/Counselor

MS/HS MTSS Coordinator

Middle School Social/Emotional Counselor

 ESSER II Allocation and Expenses

Hello Parents/Patrons/ Stakeholders,

On behalf of the Staff and Douglass Board of Education I would like to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" for your support and partnership this year as we worked to provide opportunities for your kids.  Thank you for sharing your kids with us during the school year.  We are very fortunate to have great kids and families in our district.   As we make plans for the 2022-23 school year we have an opportunity to assess some additional federal money to help supplement learning and to also provide support for our kids through the coming two years.  The Federal Government has allocated ESSER III funds that can be used through the 2024 school year.  One of the requirements of accessing the funds is to collect some survey information from our patrons. 

We would appreciate your input by taking a few minutes to complete this short survey: 

 https://forms.gle/2tZXcZyhS1HFf4B97

Thank you for your time and please have a wonderful summer!

Rob Reynolds

Douglass Superintendent of Schools