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 below.

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 expire in September of 2022, ESSER II funds expire in September of 2023, and ESSER III funds expire in September of 2024. 

In September 2022, the district expended the following: 

 

ESSER I – $27,332.83

These funds were spent on instructional supplies and technical equipment.

More information

Seventeen Clevertouch boards were purchased and installed at Louise Troy Elementary for classroom use.

Reading Workshop Texts and Teacher’s Editions were purchased for Reading Classes in grades 7-10. These reading classes were implemented in 2021 as part of the district’s COVID recovery efforts.

 

ESSER II – $594,795.03

These funds went toward the Perfection Group, Dayton Children’s Hospital, and First Student.

More information about First Student

First Student assists the district with bus routing. This is part of a three-year contract that began in 2021. 

More information about the Perfection Group

The Perfection Group was hired to upgrade the BAS (Building Automation Systems) at Wright Brothers Middle School and Ruskin Elementary School. These upgrades will bring the system controls up to modern standards. These BAS upgrades are part of a larger, three-phase HVAC upgrade. 

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. This initiative began in 2020 in partnership with Dayton Children’s Hospital and is an innovative approach to providing students with resources specifically tailored to their needs. By partnering with one organization to serve the entire district — rather than multiple agencies partnering with specific schools — there is more accountability and coordination when it comes to providing for the mental health needs of 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. 

 

ESSER III – $2,464,163.59

These funds went toward Bluum of Minnes Services, CDW Government, Zaner-Bloser IN Handwriting, and salaries and benefits for double teachers, SROs and paraprofessionals. ESSER III also partially funded Student Resiliency Coordinator and Student Behavioral Therapists through Dayton Children’s Hospital (see more information above).

More information

Bluum of Minnes Services: 31 Clevertouch boards were purchased and installed at Edwin Joel Brown Middle School, and 32 Clevertouch boards were purchased and installed at Kemp Elementary. 

CDW Government: 1,000 laser printers were purchased and installed in classrooms throughout the district to replace outdated and broken devices. 

Zane-Bloser IN Handwriting: Handwriting curriculum materials for students and teachers in grades 2-6. 

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. 

The district hired 96 additional teachers for double teaching classrooms. Based on internal and testing data, double teachers are having an impact and are helping to 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.