Following Up on ESSER & EANS Funds - One Year Later

It's been more than a year since the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. This $1.9 trillion emergency assistance package included $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Another $2.75 billion was set aside for EANS funds (Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools). School districts immediately used a percentage of these funds to safely reopen during the pandemic. The remaining funds are being used in a variety of ways. Here are the top three areas of spend:

Staffing investments - According to FutureEd, 60% of schools are recruiting, hiring and training new teachers and support staff. Some school districts are allocating Emergency Relief Funds to teacher pay increases and bonuses. Districts are also hiring mental health counselors to serve schools on a full-time or contract basis.
Tutoring and enrichment programs - More than half of school districts also plan to expand summer school and other educational programs to address learning loss.
HVAC and ventilation - Districts are fully invested in keeping schools open and operating safely during ongoing Covid outbreaks and variants. An estimated $10 billion will be spent on lead abatement, HVAC and ventilation systems.

Though most school districts have spent some of their ESSER/EANS funds, billions are still uncommitted and available for future use. A looming expiration date of September 2024 puts pressure on administrators to decide how to spend Emergency Relief funds wisely for the post-pandemic future. Beyond staffing, curriculum and ventilation/climate needs, school administrators can now invest in furniture and equipment that is suited for modern learning environments. Here are a few possibilities:

Mobile Classroom Furniture - Flexible classroom furniture is key for social distancing during future covid spikes or even seasonal flu outbreaks. Mobile activity tables, mobile desks and mobile science tables also support collaborative and tech-based lessons.
Modular Furniture - Multifunctional furniture that can be used alone or expanded also supports social distancing and tech-based collaborative learning. Examples include soft seating collections, modular storage, modular whiteboard systems and portable room dividers.
Collaborative Workstations - Furniture that supports group work and collaboration is also a smart investment for after-school enrichment programs. This includes counter-height and adjustable workbenches, tech-compatible workstations, whiteboard activity tables and mobile desks that group together
Open Front Desks - This traditional desk design eliminates the need for students to move around the classroom and will be popular far into the future.
Tablet and Laptop Charging Stations - Many school districts used ESSER funds to upgrade student Chromebooks and tablets. Classroom charging stations are needed to keep those devices powered and secure.
Outdoor Furniture and Educational Equipment - Teaching kids outside improves their mental and physical health while limiting germ spread. Investing in outdoor dining tables, benches and activity equipment will support outdoor learning.
STEM Equipment - The demand for STEM/STEAM workstations, storage solutions and supplies will grow significantly as we move into the second quarter of the century.

It's important to remember that not every school district has the same needs. Newer buildings most likely won't require investments in furniture, technology or HVAC systems. This puts them in the position to use all ESSER/EANS money for staffing investments and educational programs. District leaders overseeing older school buildings need to prioritize funding to meet staffing, academic, environmental and structural needs.