The American Rescue Plan Act, passed on March 11, 2021, provided $122.7 billion in supplemental ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding, known as the ESSER III Fund. Baird ISD will receive $705,645.00 to address students’ needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, expected in two allocations. School districts must expend a minimum of 20% of their grant funds on evidence-based interventions (summer learning, after-school programs, or extended-school year programs); interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs; and interventions that address disproportionate impact of coronavirus on certain students’ populations. 

The district solicited public input to help identify meaningful ways to use those funds to support students heading into the 2021-22 school year. A public meeting was held on Monday, July 19, at 6 p.m. in the Elementary Library to share information and collect feedback. The presentation from that meeting is posted below.