Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government took several actions to assist school districts and communities. Funding was provided in a variety of ways.
CARES Act Fund: $173,569 through 9/30/2022
The Cares Act Funding was utilized for the continuity of operation and maintaining of three staff positions in the areas of instruction and supervision during the 2020-21 school year. The district submitted applications to utilize the total $173,569 of ESSER and GEER funding as part of the CARES Act. The federal timeline to utilize this allocation is from March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2022. Cambridge utilized the grant in the 2020-21 school year.
Federal Stimulus Funds (CRRSA) through 9/30/2023
The second phase of the federal stimulus funding is the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA). The district was allocated $735,436 as part of the second grant relief package. The district has applied for the funding to be utilized for mental health services provided by Northern Rivers, emergency medical services with the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, the social worker position, additional academic intervention teachers, summer school academic interventions, and the additional UPK classroom. The district received approval of the submitted CRRSA grant application and had worked to provide the service during the 2021-22 school year. The federal timeline to utilize this allocation is from March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2023.
Federal Stimulus Funds (ARP) through 9/30/2024
The third phase of the federal stimulus funding is the ARP (Federal American Rescue Plan) which will provide an additional funding of $2.1 million to Cambridge CSD through 9/30/2024 under the state administered grant process.
The administration team has reviewed the results of the school community survey on the use of the federal funds, which was sent out before the start of the school year. Respondents of the survey support the use of the federal funds towards academic support services, mental health & social emotional support services, COVID preparedness support for in-person learning, and technology needs. The district administration team worked to complete the grant application for the use of the one-time funds in these key areas through 9/30/2024. Below is a list of possible expenditures for the grant in the community concentration areas.
Academic Support Services
- Stipends for Response to Intervention data collection and analysis
- Temporary literacy coordination
- Training for additional reading recovery teachers
- Virtual elementary teacher support of instruction for students on quarantine
- Math & ELA curriculum to address student needs
- Permanent substitute teacher positions in each school
Mental Health & Social Emotional Support Services
- Additional staffing for social worker, school counselors and psychologist (Including extended workday for current staff)
- School Climate Survey
- Student activities/celebrations
COVID Preparedness Supports
- Storage units
- Personal protective equipment
- Student desks & furniture
- COVID coordinator/tracker position
- Communication stipend position
- Assistant Transportation Supervisor support
- Additional hours for nursing staff
- Facilities equipment for operation efficiency
- Accounting support due to increase reporting with federal stimulus
- Cafeteria HVAC project – support funding for alternate & control work
- Technology devices