Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1416464
COVID-19 RELIEF FALL 2021 | ADVOCATE 11 How Much Money Is Involved and When Does It Need to Be Spent? A total of $4 billion in federal emergency aid is provided to Arizona in support of public elementary and secondary education, or about $3,610 per student. Federal aid to Arizona over the last year is divided into three packages: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (ESSER /CARES) $250 million enacted March 27, 2020 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSER II/CRRSA) $1 billion enacted December 27, 2020 American Rescue Plan (ARP ESSER/ARP) $2.3 billion enacted March 11, 2021 Note: the aggregate funding from all three of these laws is sometimes referred to in totality as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Because the ESSER funds were allocated by different laws which were enacted at different times, there are differing time periods in which to utilize the funds. A breakdown of the period of fund availability for each tranche of ESSER funding is as follows: ESSER Fund through 9/30/2021 – Tydings period until 9/30/2022 ESSER II Fund through 9/30/2022 – Tydings period until 9/30/2023 ARP ESSER Fund through 9/30/2023 – Tydings period until 9/30/2024 Any funds not obligated or expended during the availability period may be carried over and may be obligated and expended during the succeeding fiscal year. communities hit hardest by the pandemic. To do this, ARP funds may be used to hire new staff. Effective implementation of these ARP programs necessitates the participation and involvement of current employees for both consistency and quality as well as to identify students who suffered the greatest negative impact during the pandemic. ese educators can best ensure that students with the greatest needs are prioritized for summer school programs and have access to tutoring services, smaller class sizes, or additional supports. Allowable Use of Funds e ARP provides that 20 percent of ESSER funding is to be used for implementation of evidence-based interventions, including summer learning, summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive aer-school programs, or extended school year programs. e remaining funds can be used for many purposes, from resources to keep schools safe and healthy, to much needed supports for educators, including improving salary, benefits, and working conditions which are critical to recruiting and retaining high quality staff. ese improvements are crucial to ensure sufficient staffing for schools. Visit the AEA website to see a checklist of allowable uses for the ARP funds at arizonaea.org/rescue-funds. What Is the Union's Role in Bargaining These Funds? ere are no state laws prohibiting or granting collective bargaining in Arizona. Whether affiliates are entitled to engage in formal collective bargaining under state law or rely on less formal advocacy practices in non-bargaining districts, they should immediately invoke their right to engage in "meaningful consultation." It is