SDPC

ESSER Funds Information

Between 2020 and March 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills providing nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. These funds are aimed at addressing the impact that Covid-19 has had on elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

States receive funds based on the same proportion that each state receives under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title-IA. School districts in South Carolina will receive a portion of the funds based on the number of Title I students, or students in poverty, enrolled in their schools.

This page will be updated as information becomes available to provide transparency for our community stakeholders.

ESSER I

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. As part of the CARES Act, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. 

The US Department of Education awarded these grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.

  • South Carolina received $216,311,158 in ESSER funds from the CARES Act, of which 90 percent ($194,680,042) will flow through to school districts with amounts determined in proportion to the amount of Title I, Part A funds they received in Summer 2019 from funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

  • The remaining funds will be used for state-level activities to address issues caused by COVID-19.

  • The School District of Pickens County received $ 2,757,516 in ESSER I funding.

ESSER II

On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) was signed into law. The US Department of Education is providing an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II Fund). 

  • South Carolina received $940,420,782 in ESSER II funds from the Act, of which 90 percent ($846,378,704) will flow through to school districts with amounts determined in proportion to the amount of Title I, Part A funds they received in Summer 2020 from funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

  • The remaining funds ($94,042,078) will be used for state-level activities to address issues caused by COVID-19.

  • The School District of Pickens County will be allocated $ 11,696,539 in ESSER II funding.

ESSER III

South Carolina schools received additional federal coronavirus relief funds from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package signed into law in March 2021.  This is the third round of funding schools across the country will receive from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program. 

School districts in South Carolina will receive a portion of the funds based on the number of Title I students, or students in poverty, they have. The School District of Pickens County’s ESSER III allocation is $26,287,619 to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs resulting from the impact of COVID-19 for the three-year period through September 2024.

Based on public feedback beginning in July 2021 from more than 1,700 stakeholders, the district developed a plan addressing these needs specifically focused on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented, vulnerable student subgroups, including each major racial and ethnic group, gender, low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.

Request for Feedback

The following survey was shared with SDPC Stakeholders in July 2021 to gather feedback:

Survey - ESSER - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Public Input Questionnaire for SDPC .

This survey remained open throughout the 2021-22 school year.

Survey Responses

You may view all responses to the ESSER - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Public Input Questionnaire for SDPC here:

ESSER Survey Responses / Feedback 21-22
ESSER Feedback

ESSER Feedback - 1,723 Responses

State Approved ESSER III plan updates

Request for Feedback - Summer 2022

In July 2022, SDPC is again seeking feedback as we look to maximize the use of ESSER III funds by amending our approved plan to best serve the needs of our students in the following ways: 

  • Adjust the classroom camera system allocation to purchase additional student use technology to include Chromebooks and educational software resources.    

  • The district will reallocate funds from purchasing Math 180 and will focus on strengthening Tier 1 mathematics instruction in grades 6-8 and in Algebra 1 by working with Southern Regional Education Board to provide professional development and coaching to support High School Ready Mathematics. Also the district will fund training and access for ALEKS and Bridges Math.   

  • Funds will be redirected from READ 180 intervention into resources and professional development to improve students' written communication skills. Instructional materials, resources, and professional learning expenses related to these areas will be based on research-based practices from literacy leaders such as, Jennifer Servallo, Carl Anderson, and/or Ruth Cullam.

  • The district will continue using the allocated budget to address students’ needs by hiring teachers to provide extended learning time opportunities.

  • The district will also use these funds to support the development of effective intervention through research-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) practices using Solution Tree's RTI at Work or PLC at Work Institutes.

Please provide us your feedback through the following survey: