Districts brace for fiscal cliff as COVID relief funding nears an end
Key factors:
- COVID relief funding should be spent within the subsequent yr, however directors are grappling with inflation and excessive prices which have shifted priorities
- One-third of superintendents imagine all college students will probably be impacted equally by the discontinuation of ARP-funded educational applications
- See associated article: Federal COVID relief funding will dry up quickly. Are districts prepared?
With one yr remaining to spend near $200 billion in federal COVID relief funds, greater than half of college district leaders are shifting their American Rescue Plan (ARP) spending choices on account of higher-than-expected prices and inflation, in accordance with a survey administered by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
Educator suggestions and the necessity to additional direct assets towards the social and emotional wants of scholars had been cited by practically half of district leaders as the supply for realigning spending priorities and choices.
The School District Spending of American Rescue Plan report is the fourth installment of a multi-year survey centered on how college programs throughout the nation are using ARP funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report additionally sought details about what districts are prioritizing in spending ARP funding and the way they’re contemplating the sustainability of the funding of their decision-making. Eighty-six % of district leaders stated sustainability was a prime precedence or they strongly thought-about sustainability when figuring out ARP expenditures.
A 3rd of superintendents responding imagine that every one college students will probably be impacted equally of their communities by the discontinuation of ARP-funded educational applications and helps within the 2024-2025 college yr, whereas a bit of greater than 1 / 4 stated that college students who’re struggling academically will probably be impacted probably the most. A fifth of respondents highlighted how economically deprived college students would be the most impacted by the cuts in programming and staffing, whereas 14 % stated college students with psychological well being wants will expertise these funding cuts extra acutely.
“We hope this report demonstrates how critical American Rescue Plan funds are and that district leaders are laser-focused in adding instructional time,” stated David R. Schuler, government director, AASA. “Superintendents know best how to maximize the academic impact of the funding and are spending these resources wisely. However, there will be serious repercussions for students when these funds run out, which is why proposals to slash funding for the 2024-25 school year are simply unacceptable and risk deeply undermining the progress students are making academically.”
Key Findings:
- More than half (59 %) of the district leaders surveyed chosen rising educational time and alternatives, and investing in high-quality curriculum supplies as a prime spending precedence. More than half (58 %) chosen including specialist employees as a precedence, whereas 55 % chosen investing in trainer planning {and professional} growth.
- Since 2021, the long-term precedence record for district leaders has included increasing complete baby helps, companies, and applications. Other long-term precedence investments included renovating and rebuilding college amenities and interesting highschool college students.
- Half of rural districts and nearly 60 % of city districts indicated they might be utilizing ARP funds to renovate and enhance buildings and amenities, in comparison with a bit of over a 3rd of suburban districts.
- Nearly 40 % of district leaders stated suggestions from mother and father led them to make modifications to their ARP spending plans, whereas 29 % stated assessments of scholar efficiency, together with take a look at scores as properly as delays in procuring supplies and provides, led to shifts in district ARP spending.
- Fifty-three % of district leaders indicated they might be compelled to lower staffing for specialist employees, such as behavioral well being personnel, tutors and studying specialists, earlier than the 2024-25 college yr. Fifty-one % indicated they might reduce summer-learning programming.
Click here to learn half 4 of the AASA ARP funding survey. Hundreds of superintendents responded to the survey, which was issued in June.
This press launch originally appeared online.
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