American Rescue Plan Act
What is the American Rescue Plan?
On March 11, 2021, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Nearly $9 billion in federal funding has been made available to New York State to support schools in safely reopening and sustaining safe operations while meeting the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of students resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Information: Link to NYSED site.
What are the ESSER Funds?
The ARP ESSER Fund, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, will assist local educational agencies (LEAs), and more directly schools, in supporting students who have been most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to have suffered the most because of longstanding inequities in their communities and schools, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Link to NYSED site.
JPS ARPA-ESSER Funds Allocation:
The Jamestown City School District has been allocated $21,121,558. Additionally, the ARPA requires districts to reserve at least 20% to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and ensure that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on economically disadvantaged students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.
ARPA-ESSER Funds Timeline:
Project Period: 3/13/20 – 9/30/24
ARPA Amendment #1
In April 2023, Jamestown Public Schools submitted an amendment for the reallocation of ARPA funds to allow for the district to upgrade classroom technology at Jamestown High School, Raymond J. Fashano Tech Academy, Washington Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, Persell Middle School and Fletcher Elementary.
For more information, or to provide feedback, please reach out to arp@jpsny.org