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Middletown City officials warn federal recall of ARP/ESSER funds threatens $10M bus/maintenance facility
Summary
Treasurer Randy Bertram and district staff told the board an April 1 federal action to recall unused ARP/ESSER dollars has paused reimbursements and put about $6.5 million of ESSER money supporting a $10 million vehicle/maintenance facility at risk; the board heard options to continue work while seeking federal and state approvals.
Middletown City Schools officials told the board on April 14 that a March 28 presidential directive and a subsequent federal Department of Education letter have paused reimbursements of leftover ARP/ESSER funds and placed roughly $6.5 million in ESSER support for a $10 million bus and maintenance facility at risk.
Randy Bertram, the district treasurer, said he wrote to U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson and Ohio federal officials after receiving a notice that unused ARP/ESSER funds may be recalled and that approved late‑liquidation projects must be paused pending a reapproval process. Bertram said he learned representatives from the Department of Education, and staff in congressional offices, were already working on processes to allow some projects to proceed if states and the feds reapprove them.
Eric Sautzing, the…
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