Updated FAQ on ESSER

 ...was released last Wednesday. Looking for shorter things to read?

K-12 Dive notes the FAQ "provides more details on allowances and restrictions for outlays, but doesn’t give any more information on extensions for investment of the final two aid allocations."

Future Ed (in their ongoingly updated blog post) notes the significant focus on facilities: 

• Confirms that districts can use ESSER money for construction projects, but provides a series of requirements for such projects and repeats its cautions that facilities work may run up against the deadlines for spending the federal money.
• Clarifies that districts cannot use the federal money for athletic facilities--such as stadiums, playing fields and swimming pools--"unless there is a connection between the expenditure and preventing, preparing for, or responding to Covid."
• Offers recommendations for state approval processes of district construction projects, including a checklist for local education agencies and provisions for historic preservation and protecting tribal lands. The projects do not require an environment impact assessment under federal law. If a state is pursuing capital projects with its share of the funding it must receive approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Provides detailed guidance and resources for districts renovating or replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Allows the use of federal funds to keep schools open after floods, tornados and other natural disasters "in limited circumstances," stressing that districts should rely primarily on FEMA funds.
• Allows for spending on gasoline and utilities when necessary to keep schools open and running.
• Provides details about how to dispose of equipment and supplies purchased with ESSER dollars but no longer needed.
• Allows the use of funds for purchasing and installing video security systems in limited circumstances "for promoting safe and secure schools." But the department cautions districts to provide the necessary privacy protections and civil rights considerations.