State Says Many Schools Sitting on Covid Funds, But Franklin is an Exception

While lawmakers weigh how to carve up a massive pot of COVID-19 relief funding, Many  Massachusetts K-12 school districts,  Franklin being an exception, have only used a fraction of the federal dollars they received, the state's education secretary said Friday. 

K-12 schools received more than $2.9 billion across the three major stimulus packages approved so far, most of which flowed through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, fund and then to districts according to a formula, Education Secretary James Peyser told lawmakers. "As of now, less than 10 percent of these formula funds have actually been drawn down by school districts, so much of those resources remain and can be used certainly during this school year and beyond," Peyser said.

His comments came at a legislative hearing Friday to consider how to spend the roughly $4.8 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding state government still has. Any additional money the Legislature opts to steer toward K-12 schools will supplement an already robust pot. One emerging point of focus is school infrastructure, with many advocates and lawmakers calling Friday to use state ARPA funding to modernize school buildings and early education facilities.

"Investing in building infrastructure is a one-time investment that does not add to the state's operating budget, is directly responsive to the pandemic, and can have an immediate, transformative impact on our school and college buildings, especially if those funds can prioritize Gateway Cities, low-income, and Black and brown communities and universities," said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy.

Peyser said some expenses related to the virus, such as ventilation improvements, might be eligible to receive ARPA dollars from the state, but "building an entire new building" may not qualify. 

Franklin's "Pot" Mostly Committed

meanwhile, the story is different in the  02038 Zip Code. “We recently provided an update to the School Committee about this and included our spending thus far, as well as a proposal on spending in FY 23 and 24,” said Franklin Superintendent, Sara Ahern.

For example...

>State Coronavirus Prevention Fund allocated $173,225 forFY21, which has been fully expended on VLA staff, tent rental for mask breaks, and materials and subscriptions.

> Other FY21 Funding Received and Spent included CvRF school lunch $10,485 (Cafeteria Workers serving meals); Summer/Vac. Learning $12,000 (Summer Learning Academy); Spec. Support Earmark $20,834 (Remote learning services); Food Infrastructure (3) $29,539 (Software and equipment)

> Coronavirus Relief Funds (CvRF)Allocated, $1,156,275,FY21 Fully Expended: VLA Staff; Digital Learning Integrationists; Permanent Building Substitutes; Technology and Tech Support; Tent rental for mask breaks; Materials, subscriptions and PPE

> ESSER* I Allocated $123,235, Remaining at 6/30/21 $92,618

FY21 (Elementary Interventionists); Planned Use in FY22 (Elementary Interventionists

> ESSER II-submitted and approved, Allocated $475,496 (Planned Use in FY22 and FY23: Counselors and Interns, Nurse Leader - Expanded Role, Permanent Subs, Summer Learning Academy, Interventionists)

> ESSER III-application due 10/4/21, Allocated $1,046,173 (At least 20% must be spent on addressing learning loss as a result of the pandemic school disruptions; Must be tied to an in-person school reopening plan; Must involve stakeholder input)

(Full presentation available at https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/esser_iii…)

“I think we have used our funds wisely so far and invested directly in supports for students,” noted Ahern.

Reporting by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service & Alan Earls, Franklin Observer