By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Since March 2020, Kansas schools have received more than $1.2 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars as a result of the COVID pandemic. The program is coming to a close at the end of 2024. Great Bend Assistant Superintendent John Popp updated the USD 428 Board of Education where the district's allocation has gone during Monday's meeting.
"All of that money has been expended on various things from various positions as well as retention bonuses for staff, as well as materials and things we've purchased for students," he said. "All that money has been expended. This last round, ESSER III, was the largest. It was $5.9 million that our district received."
The Great Bend district spent approximately 24 percent of the federal funds on learning loss from the COVID pandemic. The remaining funds must be encumbered by September of this year and spent by the end of the calendar year.
"In 2022-23, we spent about $1 million," Popp said. "Most of that was spent between retention bonuses, training, software, and some additional positions like the family engagement coordinators. Those were positions we hired with ESSER money."
The district has used $1.7 million in ESSER dollars this school year, mostly on retention bonuses and work on the new preschool, which is expected to use just over $2 million ESSER dollars. Superintendent Khris Thexton reiterated the money must be used for specific causes.
"Everything was approved at the state level," he said. "Honestly, I think Kansas was much more thorough than most states on how they expected you to spend those dollars. They definitely made sure we were following proper procedures."
Popp and Thexton also praised Traci Burns, the district's accountant, for her work in ensuring the dollars were used properly.
"She's kept us in line with the federal government, the state government, and made sure those dollars were taken care of," Thexton said. "Traci has been fantastic in working through this. We appreciate everything she does."