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 September 2023, the district expended the following: 

ESSER III – $5,135,034

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, E3 Gordon Stowe, classroom supplies and books for teachers, and LWC Incorporated. 

More information about E3 Gordon Stowe

These funds went toward calibration and/or repair of audiometers. Audiometers are machines used for state-required hearing screenings of students. The machines are calibrated each year to ensure they are working properly. 

More information about classroom supplies and books 

All teachers and long-term substitutes received a $200 budget for their classrooms; library books in 22 languages were purchased for the International School; materials were purchased from Cengage Learning to support supplemental newcomer programming with a focus on building basic literacy and phonics skills; and specialized Montessori materials and equipment were purchased for four Montessori classrooms. 

More information about LWC Incorporated

These funds went toward the Transportation Center renovation project, a facade repair at Ponitz CTC, and mechanical work on the heat exchanger for rooftop units at Central Office. 

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.