FUESD receiving $9.4 million to fight COVID-19

Rick Monroe

Special to Village News

Fallbrook elementary schools have received $9.4 million in state and federal funds to combat the impact of COVID-19. Cindy Martin, associate superintendent of business services for the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, gave a presentation about the funding to district trustees at the board's Sept. 13 meeting. The report about the unaudited actuals for the 2020-2021 school year showed all the transactions made during the year – money allocated to the district as well as expenses.

Board members were pleased there was a reserve of unspent money for this year, giving the district a strong financial position. On June 7, the district approved a $55.6 million budget for the new school year. Dr. Candace Singh, superintendent, answered a series of questions by the Village News to clarify the COVID -19 allocation:

Is the ESSER funding mentioned part of the $1.65 billion the state received from the CARES Act?

The ESSER III funds are part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act which was signed into law on March 11, 2021 (Public Law 117.2).

Was the amount FUESD received based on the district's enrollment or other factors?

ESSER III fund allocations are based on a school district's share of funding received under Title I, Part A in fiscal year 2020-21. Title I is a federally funded grant for school districts with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. For Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, this is approximately 64% of students.

What was the amount for the district?

Currently, the U.S. Department of Education has made 74 percent of total grant funds available for apportionment at this time. Until the U.S. Department of Education makes the full award available to California, school district apportionments will be limited to 74 percent of the full allocation. For Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, the total eligibility amount is $9,455,695 with a current authority eligibility amount of $6,999,197.

From Cindi Martin's report, it shows the district has $5.8 million in general fund reserves. Is that a good amount or because of the uncertainties of today?

Based on our enrollment, the district is required to maintain a 3% reserve for economic uncertainties. Three percent is the minimum amount and equates to only 5 to 8 days of payroll. A factor potentially affecting the district's reserves levels happens at the State. If the reserve amount at the state exceeds 3% of the K-12 portion of the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, it triggers a statutory cap for 2022-23. This cap limits how much school districts can maintain in their local reserves.

Are there restrictions on how the money from last year that wasn't used can be used now?

Yes. Funds given to the district must be spent as specified by the state or federal agency, regardless of what year they are spent.  

What are some of the ideas being floated about using this windfall? Teachers? Nurses? Buildings? Other?

Stakeholder input has included maintaining low class sizes (additional teachers), increased nursing/health care support, on site COVID-19 testing, improved indoor air quality, continued emphasis on technology equipment and access, staff, and programs to support learning gaps associated with COVID-19 school closures.

What are the next steps to determine its use?

The district is in the process of writing the ESSER III plan that will reflect the specific expenditures which will address the actions and strategies outlined in the plan.

When will that happen?

The plan will go to the governing board for approval at the special board meeting on Oct. 29.

It will go to the board, but would there be any way parents or voters can have input prior?

Yes, stakeholder engagement and public input is required and described in the written plan. FUESD has provided numerous opportunities for parents, staff and students to give input as to the various ways that they would like to see the district use these funds. Virtual Town Hall meetings were held last year, parent groups such as SSC, and DELAC were given the opportunity to provide input both last year and this year and surveys were distributed last spring and this fall.

How much impact has COVID-19 had on the district expenses?

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the district's expenses.