Covid-19 Relief Funds & Current Budget

I welcome the good news that after much thoughtful discussion and deliberation, the ORR School Committee voted to pass the proposed 2025/2026 budget. This now goes to the related three towns’ individual communities to be voted on during the Town Meetings held in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester this spring. If it passes in two out of three municipalities, the budget will stand and be in place for the school year beginning July 1, 2025.

I understand that there have been questions raised about how and why certain Covid relief monies were spent by the school department. It is important that we understand the difficult challenges the administration faced during the pandemic and acknowledge how much thoughtfulness, forward-thinking and planning went into each decision during this unprecedented time.

In Massachusetts, local education agencies (also known as LEAs) were required by the state to allocate at least 20% of federal COVID-19 relief funds (ESSER III) to address learning loss, with specific requirements for assessments, evidence-based practices, and support for students and families. ESSER, or the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, is a federal program which provided K-12 schools funding to address the impacts of the pandemic on education. These funds were allocated with the intention of aiding schools in minimizing and equalizing challenges such as academic (including learning loss,) social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as ensuring safe learning environments. They were intended for a wide range of purpose, including immediate technology needs, tutoring and other learning support, mental health services and professional development.

The CARES Act provided initial funding and the American Rescue Plan Act, the largest allocation, offered support to address safe reopening of schools and mitigating the long-term impact of this time on students and staff. At this time several spending restrictions were in place and it was decided that LEAs were required to reserve a portion of ESSER funding to address learning loss.

It is commendable as to how thoughtful and restrained the process was locally. Money was initially spent to get distance and hybrid learning up and running as smoothly as possible. Remember that at the time none of us knew how long we would be distancing from one another, and thus difficult decisions were made to ensure best practices. 

We should all recognize some of the unsung heroes during this difficult time: 

• An administration who rolled up their sleeves to strategize short- and long-term solutions;

• Teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support staff who did whatever was needed to get the job done; 

• Students who showed up and did their best under a new “normal”;

• And parents and families who worked hard to continue to offer their students the best possible home-life during trying times.

  
  

Let us offer all of them our gratitude and appreciation, thankful that we are now living in better times.