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ISD 279 - Osseo Area Schools

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What has the pandemic funding been used for?

What has the pandemic funding been used for?

Recently, our district has been fortunate to receive COVID-related funding. These were one-time funds to cover the increased cost of providing instruction during the pandemic that won’t be available much longer.

The total funds received are $43,814,660. This includes Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds I, II and III, Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) I, and the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF).
 
ESSER I at $2,951,833 is/was being used for: scholarships for students in need and for tier one employees, COVID-19 response team, child care tutoring, distance learning academy staff, interpretive contracts for Osseo community, technology, and overtime for model transitions.
 
ESSER II at 10,488,463 is/was being used for: technology devices, tutoring and scholarships for child care, distance learning academy staff, additional bilingual support, interpretative services and summer English Learners transportation, facility alterations, personal protective equipment, software for online instruction, mental health support, half doors for nursing areas, operational costs, site safety plans, and communications/marketing.
 
ESSER III at $23,555,598 is/was being used for: 80% in continuing the current level of programming and services districtwide, and 20% for learning loss.
 
GEER I at $546,049 is/was being used for: internet hotspots, swivel devices for homebound students, summer English Learners transportation, and technology.
 
CRF at $6,272,717 is/was being used for: personal protective equipment, signage, chemicals for cleaning/sanitizing, technology, COVID-19 response team, Google Meet/Zoom platforms, distance learning academy staff, math English Language Arts model with tier one, food nutrition, Newsela, autonomous scrubbers, bottle fillers, HVAC air filters, and transport vehicle for COVID-19 supplies.
 
Formulas determined the dollar figures for each of these funding streams. For example, the ESSER funding has been determined via a federal formula that includes Title I, Part A. This essentially means funding is based on a school district's population and those with higher percentages of low-income families receive greater support.

building a better future vote
What types of study groups have been looking at district facilities?

At its Jan. 10 work session, board members heard from various study groups on their facility needs findings throughout the district. The teams were: Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee, Furniture and Next Generation Learning Space, Career/Technical Education, Community Education, Specialized Services, and Magnet Schools. Visit the school board document page for each group's in-depth research. 

Learn More about What types of study groups have been looking at district facilities?
Is the district lowering class sizes as part of this plan?

If approved by voters, the district would be able to maintain its class sizes. A scientifically-valid community survey this past January revealed that the majority of parents and caregivers would prefer to focus on programming and other individualized learning options when they learned how much a change would cost. To lower class sizes by just one student across all grade levels, approximately $5.2 million a year would be needed.

Learn More about Is the district lowering class sizes as part of this plan?