ESSER Funding
ESSER Federal Funding
The State of Texas recently released Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III federal stimulus allotments to school districts using Title 1 funding formulas. PfISD's share of these federal funds totaled $29,707,029. The TEA is making approximately $19.4 million available to us now to specifically address costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and address learning loss due to the pandemic.
It is crucial to note that these federal funds are temporary and will cover a 3-year period which will be heavily audited. As such, they will address some of our projected budget shortfall, but not all. We will continue to communicate with staff, parents, and the community on the District's progress with formulating a plan and having that approved by the TEA and monitor the continued guidance that the Agency releases.
There will be an application process through TEA to access these funds, which involves a grant application process and receiving student, staff, and community input to create a plan to expend these funds.
The remainder of our available funds through the federal government's ESSER III stimulus is being held while TEA awaits a response from the U.S. Department of Education for any specific language or details on how the funds may be spent. Often, federal money like this comes with strings attached, which limit how we can use it.
The District hosted Parent and Community Meetings (via Zoom) on all campuses to provide information and receive feedback. Parents and Community members were welcome to attend any of the meetings, regardless of if they have a child in attendance on that campus.
A district-level committee analyzed and discuss stakeholder feedback and ultimately determined that PfISD campus and district leaders can access ESSER III funds to support any strategy allowable under the ESSER III act. Although ESSER III funds may be used for one-time or ongoing purposes, PfISD understands the use of the funds for ongoing purposes could result in funding deficits in future years after the funding expires on September 30, 2024.
Please view components of the PfISD ESSER III Funding Plan below.
PfISD ESSER III Funding Plan
This is a custom app called Icons - Horizontal which does not exist in Composer elements. Please work with your Client Enablement Consultant or join a Best Practice Workshop on how to add the content using Composer best practices.
ESSER III: Return to In-Person Instruction & Continuity of Services
Pflugerville’s Return to Learn 2021-2022 information is located here:
PfISD Return to Learn 2021-2022
Pflugerville ISD utilizes these methods to solicit input and feedback on its Return to Learn plan:
- Let’s Talk: an online app that directs a stakeholder’s comment, question, or suggestion to the appropriate district department or campus
- Campus communication including blog posts, phone calls, and emails among teachers, administrators, families, and students
- Board of Trustees meetings, including the initial July 15, 2021, ESSER presentation
- Hosted 37 campus-based community meetings May 20-26, 2021
- Conducted survey of
- district-level staff
- campus-level staff
- parents
- students
- community groups
- Analyzed data from local & state health authorities
- Identified needs as issues arose that were out of the ordinary