Elmwood Park School District 401 officials are considering a plan to use $4.75 million in federal funds to help mitigate costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money is available as part of the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief program.
Superintendent Leah Gauthier told School Board members at its June meeting the aim is to restore a regular school schedule in the fall.
“We took a look at what are the things that we think are going to be our roadblocks when we go back to our regular five-day-a-week school year,” Gauthier said. “What are our goals? We have three years to spend this money.”
The money is specifically geared toward helping school districts return to in-person, 5-day a week learning. Gauthier said 20% must address learning loss that might have occurred during the pandemic.
“We are looking at next year as all hands on deck,” Gauthier said. “Having every resource that we can possibly have, knowing that next year is going to be tough and the kids are going to need more supports than they have ever needed before.”
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Gauthier said once students are back on track and learning gaps are addressed, some of those additional resources would be shed.
The Illinois State Board of Education passed a resolution in May stating all schools must resume fully in-person learning. The only exceptions listed were for students ineligible for the vaccine and who are under a quarantine order. Barring a COVID-19 outbreak, schools should return to fully in-person learning. Illinois entered phase five of its reopening plan on June 11, dropping capacity restrictions.
The plan Gauthier presented includes the addition of two academic interventionists being added at John Mills and Elmwood Elementary schools and at Elm Middle School. Four interventionists would be added at the high school. The positions would be specifically focused on learning gaps caused by the pandemic.
The plan also includes social and emotional support for students, including a community liaison staff member at each school.
“We took at the number of kids who have not been in our building since March 2020,” Gauthier said. “We took a look at what our families will need.”
Other aspects of the plan tackle issues such as health and safety and logistical challenges. The district is considering adding a custodian at each building, more campus monitors for lunch periods, and setting aside additional money for substitute teachers in the event some staff are quarantined during the year.
The last portion of the plan includes spending $2.1 million to address potential space limitations.
“So we’re taking a look at what opportunities these funds give us that we can invest into our facilities to make it as meaningful as possible for our students and staff,” she said.
Gauthier said the district can submit its plan July 1 to the State Board of Education. Once funding is received, the plan will be published on the district’s website.
Brian Slupski is a freelance reporter.