Last month, we talked about the status of all the COVID-19 funding and how it has progressed. The situation for many of the states in their effort to obligate funding under all the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) and GEER (Governor’s Emergency Education Relief) I, II, and III are ongoing. To see the progress of funding allotments and progress by state, district, and for Higher Education, click here: U.S. Department of Education – Education Stabilization Fund. On this site, you will notice a substantial difference among states on how much allocated funding from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) each has. In many cases, you will see that the ARPA status in states is below 5% meaning that the application process has not started. In other states, the application phase has stopped but funding has yet to be sent out.
What does this mean? Check your status on the initial request with the state and district. States have different requirements for federal funding applications ranging from completion of the entire application and a Letter of Intent to a simple message about opting in for funding and plans for the money. What is important to remember is that there are states that are not extending deadlines in many areas, from ESSER to EANS, with a few closing deadlines early next year. You owe it to yourself, and your students, to check what your state is planning to do. Each state has different plans, including allowing schools to purchase the requested resources over the next couple of years. With just a few weeks left in the year, make sure that you still have the opportunity to apply for federal relief funding.
Keeping all of this in mind, we are hearing that schools and districts are receiving phone calls from those higher up on the decision-making chain requiring estimates of need, including costs, for meetings to be held within a day or two. This can be particularly challenging for many who may have thought about the ‘things’ needed but have not really thought about the ‘justification,’ or vice versa. So, I highly suggest that you “act now” by calling your representative. Your representative can provide you with an estimate of cost and help you sort out the concept, justification, and/or aspects of funding applications.
Our Boxlight team can also help! Our grants team can help to clearly state your needs and get you on any list that should be considered. If you are the district lead, after working with us, you will be ready to send applications to the state for obligation approval. We are here any time to help because we understand how dynamic this grant and funding environment can be. We want you to be ready for that call.
To talk with a grant writing expert and/or download our Relief Funding Guide, go to news.mimio.boxlight.com/esser.
To learn about Boxlight award-winning educational technology solutions, such as our ProColor interactive display and MyStemKits STEM lessons, go to boxlight.com.
