U.S. Division of Training approves S.D.’s plans for COVID aid funds | State & Regional
Tiffany Sanderson
Magazine staff
The Department of Education on Wednesday announced the approval of South Dakota’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Plans and distributed the remaining ESSER funds to them.
South Dakota is receiving more than $ 381 million in ESSER funding, and approval of its plan on Wednesday will result in the release of the last $ 127 million. Rapid City School District will receive a total of $ 40.1 million.
The South Dakota Plan describes how the state is using ESSER funds to re-engage students and equip opportunities for those who need them most, especially those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic .
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Earlier this year, the DOE distributed two-thirds of the ESSER funding totaling $ 81 billion to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining third of the funds will be made available to the federal states after the state plans have been approved.
“South Dakota is proud to be among the first to have their plans approved. The schools in South Dakota were also among the first in the country to reopen their doors at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, “Education Secretary Tiffany Sanderson said in a statement. “Our plan has three priorities for the next few years: supporting strong teaching and educational opportunities, addressing student mental health needs, and focusing on teaching staff. As we move forward, we will continue to evaluate data and engage with stakeholders to identify strategies that support engagement and learning for all students. “
