Memo Text
Districts are reminded that the American Rescue Plan (ARP) requires LEAs to update the LEA Plan for Continuity of Services (Ready for Learning) every six months. The LEA Plan for Continuity of Services should describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. DESE will monitor district websites for easy access to the LEA Plan for Continuity of Services. Districts are reminded of the expectation for public engagement and opportunities for public input throughout the life of the ARP ESSER award. Please include the date the plan was reviewed/updated before reposting on the district website. Please include the URL to the updated Continuity of Services Plan here by April 15, 2023. (Prior memos may be referenced: COM 23-012, COM-22-129 and COM-22-146)
If a superintendent closes school for a regularly scheduled school day due to an exceptional or emergency circumstance, such as a contagious disease outbreak, inclement weather, or other acts of God, the superintendent may make up missed school days that have been added to the calendar or may add additional time to the beginning or ending of a regular school day for a minimum of sixty (60) minutes (Ark. Code Ann. §6-10-127).
The use of an AMI day should maintain the integrity of teaching and learning.
ESSER & ARP Updates:
Reminder that ESSER II funds must be obligated by September 30, 2023. ARP ESSER funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024. Please note that all approved construction projects should be aware of the obligation and liquidation timelines.
The U.S. Education released the ESSER and GEER Use of Funds FAQs December 7, 2022 Update which includes 27 new FAQs drawn from inquiries from State and local educational agencies, along with revisions to eight existing FAQs.
For more information regarding ESSER II or ARP ESSER please visit the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act webpage on the DESE website.