Coordinator of Grant & Foundation Development
jonesm@wcsdpa.org
(814) 723-6900 ext. 1034
ESSER Grant Information Page
Listed below are each of the ESSER grants, a brief description of the grant, and a link to the PDF file of either the submitted grant application or its final report (if the grant period has ended). Each grant is subject to change with the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Education or other funding agency.
The district published a survey in November 2021 via the WCSD Facebook and website requesting public input on potential uses for the ARP-ESSER grant allocation. The same survey was emailed to all district staff and students in grades 6-12. The district estimates that it reached out to approximately 5,000 individuals for input. The survey closed on November 12, 2021, with 280 responses, or an approximate response rate of 6%. A simple breakdown of the results is available at WCSD ARP-ESSER Stakeholder Survey Results. A graphical representation of questions 1 & two may be viewed at WCSD ARP ESSER Survey Graphical Responses.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grants
Federal ESSER funding was provided to help schools respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding was provided in three rounds: the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. ESSER funds are distributed to states based on each state's proportionate share of Title I, Part A (Title I-A) funding from 2019. See the list below to find more information on each WCSD ESSER award.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER I) Fund
Award Amount: $1,426,059.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: $56,684.00
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2022
WCSD Final Report (PDF format)
ESSER I funds were awarded to address the impact that Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) had on elementary and secondary schools across the state. The WCSD used ESSER I funds for the following:
Virtual Academy instructors providing remote learning for students in SY 2020-21.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II (ESSER II)
Award Amount: $6,079,074.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2023
WCSD Application (PDF format)
ESSER II funds were awarded to address the impact that Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) had on elementary and secondary schools across the state. The WCSD used ESSER II funds for the following:
Instructional/paraprofessional staff, including Virtual Instruction, Curriculum Alignment, Class Size Reduction, Quarantined Student Instruction, ELA Intervention, Supplemental Reading, Credit Recovery
Salaries, Benefits, and Supplies for after-school tutoring and summer programming.
Textbooks/Curriculum Needs
Elementary Instructional Materials
Computers for Elementary Students
Classroom ClearTouch TV/Whiteboards for Instruction
BrainFuse Tutoring Program
School Counselors, Behavioral Intervention Specialists, and Attendance Positions
Certified School Nurses
Increasing Virtual Instruction Administrative Hours
ESSER Grant Program, Accounting, and Administrative Positions
District Electricians and Computer Technician
Building Custodians
Public Health Administrator
Curriculum Adjustment Activities/Services
Classlink Seamless Sign-on for Students and Staff
Equipping a Virtual Instruction space for Instructors
Support Staffing for Special Education Students
Student Transportation for LEAP Summer Programming
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP-ESSER)
Award Amount: $12,296,208.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2024
WCSD Application (PDF format)
ARP-ESSER funds are intended to address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on underserved students (e.g., students from low-income families, students from historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups, students from disproportionately impacted gender groups, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, and migrant students). Funding will help schools invest in mitigation strategies consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools to the greatest extent practicable; address the many impacts of COVID-19 on students including from interrupted instruction; implement strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs; offer crucial summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; support early childhood education; invest in staff capacity, and avoid layoffs that would compound a pre-existing educator pipeline challenge.
The WCSD will use ARP-ESSER funds for the following:
Instructional/paraprofessional staff, including Virtual Instruction, Curriculum Alignment, Class Size Reduction, Speech Instruction, ELA Intervention, Supplemental Reading, Credit Recovery
Salaries, Benefits, and Supplies for after-school tutoring and summer programming.
Textbooks/Curriculum Needs and Instructional Resources
Afterschool Tutoring Positions
Summer Enrichment Staffing, Program Support, and Transportation
Technology for Students and Instructors
Student Behavior/Disruption Monitoring Equipment
School Counselors, Behavioral Intervention Specialists, and Attendance Positions
Certified School Nurses
Professional Development/MTSS Resources
ESSER Grant Program, Accounting, and Administrative Positions
District Electricians and Computer Technician
Building Custodians
Public Health Administrator
Art Therapy Services for Students
Elementary Student Assistance Program (SAP) for Elementary Level
Student Transportation for LEAP Summer Programming
ESSER Fund (ARP ESSER) 7% Set-Asides
Award Amount: $955,691.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2024
WCSD Application - Learning Loss (PDF format)
WCSD Application - Afterschool (PDF format)
WCSD Application - Summer school (PDF format)
Subgrant Award Breakdown:
ARP ESSER After School Set Aside: $136,527.00
ARP ESSER Summer School Set Aside: $136,527.00
ARPS ESSER Learning Loss Set Aside: $682,637.00
ARP-ESSER 7% Set-Aside funds are intended to address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by funding remedial projects in the areas of summer school, after-school, and identified learning losses within the student body. Generally, the funds are planned to accomplish the following:
Salaries, and benefits for part-time after-school staff modeled after the district's 21st Century programming.
Instructional supplies for after-school programming.
Brainfuse Online Tutoring system.
Salaries and benefits for after-school staff providing clerical and social-emotional learning (SEL) functions.
Mileage, office supplies, and other office needs for after-school staff.
Salaries and benefits for virtual summer school instruction, COVID Compensatory Summer Program, and Learning Enrichment Afternoon (LEAP) Program staff.
Transportation for LEAP students.
Lions Quest, Second Step, Universal Screener software, professional development opportunities, and various supplies for SEL.
Development of a WCSD Crisis Response Team
Salary and benefits for a psychological counselor, reading para-professionals, and MTSS tutors
ARP ESSER CTC's 2.5% Set Aside
Award Amount: $311,536.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2024
WCSD Application (PDF format)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) the Pennsylvania Act 24 of 2021, appropriated $43.5 million of Pennsylvania’s ARP Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief (ESSER) State Reserve funds to support Career and Technical Education Centers (CTCs). These funds may be used to combat learning loss, mitigation activities, facility improvements, access to instruction, and other activities. They may also be used for any ESSER allowable use articulated in the ARP Act, including activities allowed under IDEA, Adult Education and Family Literacy, Carl D. Perkins, and the various Title grants. The WCCC will be using the funds for the following:
WCCC Summer School salaries and benefits
ELA/Credit Recovery Instruction salaries and benefits
A contracted social worker position to support WCCC student needs and help address student absence issues related to COVID-19 that keep them from attending school.
American Rescue Plan ESSER Fund – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY)
Award Amount: $61,151.00.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 07/01/2021 - 09/30/2024
WCSD Application (PDF format)
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act set aside Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to provide support and resources for homeless children and youth. The Homeless Children and Youth (HCY) Program funding may be used to identify homeless children and youth, provide wraparound services due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and make it easier for homeless students to participate in school activities like in-person instruction and extracurricular activities. The WCSD will be using HCY funds for the following:
Salaries and benefits for school social worker positions.
Supplies necessary to support HCY efforts in the district.
Rent to provide shelter to qualified families within the district.
ESSER COVID Relief for WCSD
Award Amount: $120,803.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: $2,701.00
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2022
WCSD Final Report (PDF format)
The ESSER COVID Relief Grant was funded through federal ESSER monies. The district used the grant to purchase temperature scanning kiosks for district buildings, monthly data hotspot fees to support student Internet use, hotspot devices, and materials requested by participating nonpublic schools.
COVID-19 Safety Measures in the Warren County SD
Award Amount: $299,863.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2022
WCSD Final Report (PDF format)
The COVID-19 Safety Measures Grant provided funds from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to the WCSD to purchase supplies and materials necessary to respond to safety concerns related to COVID. The district used these funds to purchase construction materials to provide virus barriers and safe segregation of students while in their buildings. Funds were also used to purchase masks, thermometers, janitorial equipment and supplies, sanitizer, and other materials to provide a safe learning environment.
COVID-19 Remote Learning Devices for WCCC Students
Award Amount: $90,000.00
Non-Public School Equitable Share: N/A
Grant Period: 03/13/2020 - 09/30/2022
WCSD Final Report (PDF format)
The COVID-19 Remote Learning Devices grant was funded through federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies. The Warren County Career Center used these funds to purchase computers for WCCC student use should they need to access remote education services during the pandemic.
Contact Information
Warren County School District
6820 Market Street
Russell, PA 16345-3406
