The Arkansas CARES Committee approved additional funding from the state’s general CARES Act grant to compensate school districts that experienced funding shortfalls in food services during the 19-20 school year.  You will find the complete list of district allocations at: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/fiscal-and-administrative-services/school-funding/allocations.

Allocations were calculated by determining the amount by which FY20 expenditures exceeded FY20 revenues in all child nutrition funds (SOF 8000 – 8999) in eFinance, less any equipment expenses.  No beginning balances or transfers were included in the calculation.  Additionally, expenditures coded to the district’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER-SOF 6780) as food service expenses (program code 192) were also included as part of the shortfall.

Funding will be distributed to awarded districts on a reimbursement basis as current year expenditures are coded to this new fund in eFinance.  Any allowable expenditure in ESSER is also allowable in this new fund.  The district should use the same program codes in this new fund as is prescribed for ESSER expenses.  This list is attached to this memo for convenience and can also be found posted to the website at: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/20201209104632_ESSER_Funding_program_codes1.pdf.

Please note, the state’s general CARES Act funds have a short-term expiration.  All expenses must be recorded in eFinance by December 12, 2020 or any remaining funds will expire back to the federal awarding agency.  Therefore, it is important that districts prioritize expenditures to this fund quickly.

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