(4-21-21) Two neighboring school districts separated by a state border, Ft. Recovery and Jay Schools, heard financial updates based on the effects of the pandemic.

At Monday night’s Ft. Recovery School District BOE meeting they found out they are facing deficit spending issues in the future of almost $3.5 million.

  • 2021 – $156, 819
  • 2022 – $480, 208
  • 2023 – $805, 956
  • 2024 – at least $1,000,000
  • 2025 – at least $1,000,000

The projected deficits would drop the district’s year-end balance to $2.7 million by the end of fiscal year 2025.

Indiana neighbor Jay School Corporation, according to the Commercial Review, is looking forward to some COVID 19 relief funds.

The funds will be coming from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The system looks to receive an estimated $2.88 million in the next round of funding and $6.24 million in the following round. They have already received $161,776 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Grant.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced in February the estimated funds that each school district across the state will receive as part of the second round of federal stimulus dollars (CARES 2.0/ CRRSA). Together, these school allocations for Indiana public and non-public schools total more than $881 million.

Planning allocations for each of Indiana’s public schools are available here, with planning allocations for each non-public school available here.

Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education

“This CARES 2.0 federal funding offers the opportunity to focus on addressing the educational needs exacerbated by the pandemic. As we all continue to navigate these challenges, it will be critical to better understand and take actions to mitigate the learning loss resulting from COVID-19, as well as capitalize on any opportunities for growth that have come to light as a result of this challenge.”

These funds include:

  • Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER)
    Planning allocations for Indiana’s public schools – the largest part of ESSER funding – total $799.37 million. These schools will submit their allowable expenses incurred from March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2023, and then will be eligible for reimbursement. More information on the use of these funds – designed to tackle learning loss and achieve operational efficiencies – is available here.
  • Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS)
    Non-public schools’ planning allocations total $81.66 million, which can be used to fund services and support for these schools. These funds prioritize schools that enroll low-income students and are most impacted by the pandemic. More information on allowable activities and uses is available here.

These planning allocations are preliminary and will be finalized in the coming months based on the Title I formula.

The second federal stimulus package (CARES 2.0/ CRRSA) also includes more than $115 million in discretionary funding available to the state, as well as $327.78 million available for higher education.

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