Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the ESSER Carryover topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District lists $8.3M in ESSER‑funded positions and services rolled into general fund
Summary
Administrators reviewed roughly $8.3 million in positions and services that had been paid with ESSER funds and that were incorporated into the district general fund budget, including counselors, substitute pay increases, and technology subscriptions.
Administrators told the School Board that the district carried about $8.3 million of services and positions originally paid from ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) into the general fund when federal pandemic funds ended.
“Kirk, you just proceed… this is a consolidation of all of the ESSER expenses that we had throughout the 4 years that made it to the final cut of what then would roll into the general fund,” the presenter said while reviewing a one‑page summary. The packet lists programs and personnel moved into the general fund for FY25/FY26.
Items administrators listed as carried forward included: a high‑school virtual courseware contract (Edmentum Courseware, roughly $41,000); a district survey tool (about $7,500); increases in substitute pay that now total several million dollars across elementary, middle and high schools (administration cited about $5.6 million annually for sub pay and classified/teacher compensation increases); additional counselors at specific high schools (Jefferson and Ben Bridal named in the packet); a district career coach and CTE staffing; expanded reading intervention and nursing positions in middle schools; web content staffing; a world language/EL coordinator position; two additional elementary assistant principals (2 FTE); part‑time front desk and HR support; bus swiping technology; behavior facilitators at Axtell Park; communication tools (Remind; “Let’s Talk” website tool); and other wraparound positions focused on 504 and special‑education supports.
Administration said several of these were originally one‑time ESSER investments that the district decided to maintain because they were judged important to instruction and student supports. “Those were considerations and then these did move forward in the general fund for FY25, which is our current school year,” the presenter said. Presenters warned that because ESSER was temporary, continuing these services in the general fund adds recurring expense that contributed to the current budget gap.
The board and administration also discussed a district decision to identify multiple “levels” for each cost center (for example Level 3 = status quo; Level 2 = 1% cut; Level 1 = 2% cut) so that administrators and board members can see the fiscal impact of trimming specific programs. Several board members and administrators reiterated that none of the proposed reductions presented at the work session would immediately result in layoffs; administration said the reductions primarily reflect funded slots or reallocations and would be managed through attrition or reassignment.
The board requested additional line‑item detail and time to consider whether some ESSER‑funded roles should be continued in the general fund or reduced in phases.
