Over the last few years, the Dayton Public School District has received COVID-relief funds from the federal government. These funds, often referred to as “ESSER” funds (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) or “ARP” funds (American Rescue Plan), have been used to keep students and staff safe during the pandemic, and to help students catch up academically after a period of disrupted learning in 2020 and 2021. There were several rounds of funding for K12 schools, denoted by ESSER I, II or III.

To keep the community informed about the district’s ongoing use of COVID-relief funds, regular reports will be shared on the district’s website throughout the lifetime of the funds. ESSER I funds expired in September of 2022. ESSER II funds will expire in September of 2023, and ESSER III funds will expire in September of 2024. 

In July 2023, the district expended the following: 

ESSER II – $0

No ESSER II expenditures. 

ESSER III – $2,198,827.41

These funds went toward salaries and benefits for double teachers, SROs, paraprofessionals, and bus drivers. Funding also went to Dayton Children’s Hospital, Shook Inc., Textbook Warehouse, and BSN Sports. 

More information about Textbook Warehouse

Novels were purchased for 7-12 ELA classes.

More information about BSN Sports

These funds upgraded classroom PA systems at Dunbar, Belmont, Thurgood, Ponitz, Stivers and Meadowdale. The upgraded system will allow the instructor’s voice to be heard throughout the classroom no matter where the teacher is standing. (For example, if the teacher is on the left side of the room, students on the right side will still be able to clearly hear the instructions/lesson). It will also help the teacher to be heard clearly over any background noise.

More information about Shook, Inc.

Shook, Inc. is a general contractor for the Welcome Stadium renovation project. 

More information about Student Resiliency Coordinators & Student Behavioral Therapists (Dayton Children’s Hospital)

Student Resiliency Coordinators (SRCs) are in each school and manage long-term counseling needs for students. The SRC at each school helps determine what services a student needs, and then connects him or her to those services. The SRCs also set goals and monitor a student’s progress toward reaching those goals.

While SRCs focus on extended counseling needs, Student Behavioral Therapists focus on short-term counseling. There is one Student Behavioral Therapist for every two schools. 

Another COVID-relief spending update will be published next month. Read more about the district’s Recovery Plan here.