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 expired in September of 2023. ESSER III funds will expire in September of 2024. 

In November 2023, the district expended the following: 

ESSER III – $4,974,929

These funds went toward salaries and benefits for co-teachers, SROs, paraprofessionals, custodians, nurses, and bus drivers. Funding also went to Dayton Children’s Hospital, American Red Cross, Amplify Education, Restorative Justice Arts, Bluum of Minnesota, Firefighter Safe for AEDs, Prodigy Building Solutions, BSN Sports, and classroom supplies for teachers. 

American Red Cross – funding provided CPR/AED training for teachers and paraprofessionals, as required by the Ohio Department of Education. 

Amplify Education – Funding provided science textbooks for grades 1-3.

Restorative Justice Arts – funding provided professional development to all District Security Resource Officers. 

Bluum of Minnesota – funding provided Clevertouch monitors at the International School. 

Firefighters Safe for AEDs – funding went toward installing 36 new AEDs throughout the district.

Prodigy Building Solutions – funding went toward a new HVAC system in Jackson Center.

BSN Sports – funding went toward the installation of new sound systems in gymnasiums at Dunbar, Belmont, Thurgood, Ponitz, Stivers and Meadowdale. 

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.