ESSER Funds

Conroe ISD utilizes air filters for all HVAC units with a MERV rating of 9. Air filters of this type are effective at trapping up to 85 percent of airborne particles 3-10 microns in size. These filters are commonly used throughout buildings and homes to protect high-quality air conditioning and heating units. Our filters are changed routinely to protect both the quality of air and prolong the lifetime of the units.

The District also recently purchased air cleaning systems that instantaneously kill COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens. Instead of trapping viruses and other pathogens in filters as an air purifier, the IVP system uses a heated filter using a metal mesh foam to “catch and
kill” viruses of all species, along with other air pollutants, such as allergens and mold. Each campus has received a large space system as well as other small units for use around their building. Hear Dr. Null discuss these systems

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds are being provided under Section 18003 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Section 313 of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, and Section 2001 of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The United States Department of Education has defined the intent of all three ESSER grants as: to prevent, prepare for, or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students.

In addition to responding to the impact of lost instructional time, funds can be used to respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students of low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students.

View Conroe ISD Use of Fundspdf

View ESSER Use of Funds document which includes timelines for spending.pdf

The District is currently considering suggestions from all stakeholders. These will be evaluated and prioritized by a task force that also includes members of the District Level Planning and Decision-Making Committee. Individuals were able to provide feedback through a now-closed survey.

Some decisions need to be made sooner such as those that may involve staffing for the next school year. In general, the plan will be published after the grant application has been approved at the state level. Our hope is to have a plan by the end of June.

One challenge is that these funds are one-time funds and can present a funding cliff when the grant period ends. This means that whatever we do, we have to plan for the funds to be unavailable after September 30, 2024 (unless we incorporate funds for extending the life of the grant beyond 2024). This is particularly an issue for any decisions about adding personnel. We will have to have a plan to either end positions or absorb the position into the budget over time.

Another challenge in our planning is that we need to be aware that the “Hold Harmless” provision that we enjoyed this year will not be in effect next year. With the exception of this year, the District is funded based on student attendance or how many students show up each day. We believe it is important to plan for any possible disruption to our funding as a result of the pandemic so that we can maintain a constant level of staffing.