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 May 2023, the district expended the following: 

ESSER II – $176,697.76

These funds went toward the salary and benefits of the district’s Grant Coordinator, the Perfection Group, and AGM Energy Services.

More information about AGM Energy Services & the Perfection Group

The Perfection Group was a vendor for phase 1 of the district’s BAS (building automation system) upgrade. AGM Energy Services provided design for all BAS upgrade projects. Phase 1 of this project upgraded the systems at Central Storage, Dunbar, Rosa Parks, Louise Troy, Belmont, Grounds, Stivers, Wogaman, Ponitz, Service Building, Ruskin and Wright Brothers.

ESSER III – $5,206,568.16

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., and LWC Incorporated. 

More information about Shook, Inc.

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

More information about LWC Incorporated

LWC Incorporated provided schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, construction administration, material testing, permits, and other services related to the construction of a new transportation building. 

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. 

More information about Double Teachers

An important part of the district’s recovery plan is a double teaching model in 1st-3rd grade. Under this model, there are two teachers in each classroom, with one specializing in math and one specializing in literacy. The class is divided and the teachers teach to one half of the class simultaneously. The students then switch places for another lesson. 

A major benefit of this model is reduced class size, which allows for more individualized attention. Teachers can spend more time working one-on-one with students, which helps close learning gaps. 

Learn more about the double teaching model in this video produced by the Ohio Department of Education. 

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